Guitar Notation

Reading guitar notation is an essential skill for any guitarist. It opens up a world of musical possibilities, allowing you to learn and play a vast array of songs with precision. This guide will take you through the basics of reading guitar notation, including important symbols, string numbers, and helpful mnemonics. Remember, the guitar is a transposing instrument, meaning that the notes sound an octave lower than they are written. Let’s dive in!

Check out more exercises and concepts in my Free Sheet Music Library!

Understanding Guitar Notation

Guitar notation can be divided into two main types: standard notation and tablature (tab). Both have their uses, and many guitarists use a combination of the two. This article is primarily about standard notation, what is commonly called “sheet music.” The exercises on my website will almost always use a combination of both.

Standard Notation

Standard notation uses the same musical staff and note symbols as other instruments. Here’s a quick overview:

• Staff: The set of five lines and four spaces on which notes are written.
• Clef: The treble clef is used for guitar notation.
• Notes: Represent the pitch and duration of sounds.

Line and Space Notes

In standard notation, the lines and spaces on the staff represent different pitches. For the guitar, these pitches correspond to specific notes and frets on the guitar neck.

Lines (from bottom to top):

1. E: The first line represents the E note.
2. G: The second line represents the G note.
3. B: The third line represents the B note.
4. D: The fourth line represents the D note.
5. F: The fifth line represents the F note.

Spaces (from bottom to top):

1. F: The first space represents the F note.
2. A: The second space represents the A note.
3. C: The third space represents the C note.
4. E: The fourth space represents the E note.

Understanding these line and space notes is crucial for reading and playing music written in standard notation. Here’s a quick way to remember the notes:

• Line Notes: Use the mnemonic “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” for E, G, B, D, F.
• Space Notes: Remember that the spaces spell out “FACE.”

Check out the PDF above to learn how to play these notes on the guitar.

Tablature (Tab)

Tablature is a guitar-specific notation system that represents the strings and frets directly:

• Lines: Each line represents one of the six strings of the guitar.
• Numbers: Indicate the fret to be played on each string.

Check out my article on reading guitar tabs for more on reading tablature.

Key Symbols in Guitar Notation

Up and Down Strokes

Strumming patterns are crucial for rhythm guitar playing, and they are indicated by specific symbols:

• Up Stroke: This symbol, shaped like a ‘V’ indicates that you should strum upwards.
• Down Stroke: This symbol, shaped like a square without the bottom side, indicates that you should strum downwards.

String Numbers

Each string on the guitar has a designated number, starting from the thinnest string (high E) to the thickest string (low E):

• 1st String: High E
• 2nd String: B
• 3rd String: G
• 4th String: D
• 5th String: A
• 6th String: Low E

Mnemonic for Open Strings

A popular way to remember the names of the open strings is with the mnemonic: Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie. This corresponds to the strings from 6th (low E) to 1st (high E). They are often memorized this way because the 6th string is closest to the player.

Conclusion

Learning to read guitar notation is a valuable skill that enhances your ability to play and understand music. Whether you’re reading standard notation or tablature, knowing the symbols for up and down strokes, string numbers, and having the open strings memorized will make your learning process smoother. Remember, the guitar is a transposing instrument, and written notes sound an octave lower than notated. With practice, you’ll become proficient in reading guitar notation and ready to tackle any song. Happy practicing!