Guitar String Name Mnemonic Acronyms

Learning the names of the guitar strings in standard tuning is one of those things that seems simple until you actually try to remember them.

E-A-D-G-B-E?

Which one was which again?

This is exactly why people started making up memory aids to remember the string names. These are called mnemonic acronyms.

So instead of struggling with seemingly random letters, you can use fun phrases like the classic "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" to remember the string names.

Here are the best mnemonic tricks I've heard during my 3 decades playing guitar, but if you know more, please leave them in a comment.

What Are Guitar String Names?

Each of a standard guitar's six strings has a specific name derived from the note the string is tuned to.

From thickest to thinnest, the strings are tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E.

Here's how they're numbered and positioned:

6th String (thickest) - Low E5th String - A4th String - D3rd String - G2nd String - B1st String (thinnest) - High E

The 6th string is the one closest to your chin when you're holding the guitar normally, and the 1st string is closest to the floor.

Yes, it might seem backwards that the thickest string is called the "6th" and the thinnest is the "1st," but that's just how guitarists count them.

Oh, and the reason we have two E strings is that they're the same note, just in different octaves - the 6th string E is much lower in pitch than the 1st string E.

Knowing these string names and numbers is essential for tuning your guitar, reading chord charts, and following along with lessons.

That's where our memory tricks come in handy 😉

Best Guitar String Mnemonics

Here are the most popular memory tricks guitarists use to remember E-A-D-G-B-E. Pick one that sounds fun or memorable to you - that's the one that will stick!

Classic Favorites

• Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie - The most popular one for good reason
• Eat All Day Get Big Easy - Simple and to the point

Food & Fun

• Every Apple Does Good Being Eaten - For the health-conscious guitarist
• Eat Apples Daily Grow Big Ears - Another fruity option
• Eat A Dog, Get Big Ears - A bit weird, but memorable!
• Eat All Dead Gophers Before Easter - Definitely unforgettable
• Elephants And Dogs Giggle Before Eating - I had no idea
• Eat A Darn Good Breakfast Everyday - Agreed

Musical & Creative

• Every Amp Deserves Guitars/Basses Everyday - Perfect for gear lovers
• Eric And Dave's Guitars Beat Everyone - Name-based and competitive
• Elvis Always Dug Good Banana Eating - The King would approve

Animal Kingdom

• Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears - Easy to visualize
• Even Average Dogs Get Bones Eventually - Dog lovers unite

Edgy Options

• Every Apple Does Go Bad Eventually - A bit pessimistic but true
• Every Acid Dealer Gets Busted Eventually - Not family-friendly, but effective

The key is picking one that makes you smile or seems easy to remember 🙂 Don't try to memorize them all, just choose your favorite and stick with it.

3 Ways to Practice With Your Mnemonic

Once you've picked your favorite mnemonic, here are three simple ways to make it stick:

1. Say It While Tuning - Every time you tune your guitar, say your mnemonic phrase out loud as you go through each string. Start with the 6th string and work your way down: "Eddie... Ate... Dynamite... Good... Bye... Eddie." This connects the phrase directly to the physical action of tuning and creates a strong memory link.
2. Point and Name Drill - Set aside 2-3 minutes for focused string naming, where you point to a string, pluck it, and say its name using your mnemonic. Try this with different strings in random order - don't just go in sequence. Close your eyes and see if you can still identify each string by sound alone.
3. Use It When Learning Chords - When you're learning new chords, say the string names as you place your fingers. "This D major chord uses the D G B and E strings." This reinforces both the mnemonic and practical application, making your practice time do double duty.

If you want to learn the names of the notes across the fretboard as well, check out our video guitar lesson on guitar notes, and our written material on guitar notes and string relationships.

And remember to leave your own little memory aids as well 🙂