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Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:41 pm
by frybaby
This might be more of a theory question, but I was wondering how and why it was decided the guitar should be strung with the strings tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E, and why is the B siring 1/2 different in it relationship to the G string that all the rest. All except for the B string are tuned to a forth interval (or 5 half step) of the preceeding string until you get to the B string which is an interval of 4 half steps. ie starting with string 6 E the next string is a forth of E namely A. and so on.

Also I was looking for suggestion on a phrase that could help one remember the string names. As is done with E very - G ood - B oy - D oes - F ine, which is a memory to the line on music shee.

I came up with one for the Guitar, E at - A pple - D umplins - G rows - B ig - E ars.

Surely there is a better one out ther.

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:49 pm
by eagle670
Here's a couple!

Every Boy Goes Down And Eats

Easter Bunny Gets Drunk After Easter

Kevin

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:57 pm
by Catman
One explanation of why the standard tuning is the way it is can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_tun ... ard_tuning.

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm
by frybaby
Thanks Kevin, much better.

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm
by hasben
Kevin!!!!
B) :) :laugh: :cheer: ;) :P :unsure: :ohmy: :woohoo:

I see, you're working from the bottom up. I can't touch that but will certainly remember it.

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:01 pm
by frybaby
Thank Catman. I will check out wiki. I think my friend could remember the easter bunny Mnemonics a bit easier.

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:32 pm
by Chasplaya
E = Eric
B = Bill
G = George
D = Dave
A = Al
E = Ernie

E = Erin
B = Belinda
G = Gracie
D = Donna
A = Alice
E = Elizabeth

Image

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:39 pm
by Music Junkie
Neil was asked this very question during a TG live a while back. He eluded to the fact that it could take several hours to explain the detailed version, but in short it had to do with overtones and, believe it or not, the ease of making chords. I have asked the question as well, but have never gotten a long version. i did discuss it with someone and we got into sine waves and the whole overtone thing. Sounded interesting, but time was not on our side.

MJ

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:29 pm
by hasben
Thanks Catman, for the Wiki link. After looking it over I quickly realized there is more to this thing called music than I will ever understand. The guitar is truly a complicated instrument. And the broader subject of "music" reaches to the outer limits of science and art. Question to those more advanced: Why are some combinations of notes agreeable to us-- to our ears--(example: open chord C) than, say,
a dischordant combination? Any links for futher study?
Maybe I'm off subject here but the subject of what we as humans consider "good" (in tune) and what we might find disagreeable (noise) is very interesting to me. Any thoughts?
Esoterically yours, Fred from Muskogee

Re:Guitar string names

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:35 pm
by BobR
Just to add to the Mnemonic stuff.

Hi e to low E
e very
B ig
G irl
D eserves
A n
E merald

And my favorite

Low E to high e

E very
A pple
D umpling
G ives
B ob
e nergy


Bob