Notes on the bottom E string – Neck Knowledge

This lesson is focussed on the bottom E string. 

In this article we are looking at how important it is to understand the relationship between the E string and Barre chords or Scales can be. The letter or the note as it should be referred to is usually called the root/tonic – in Chords or Scales this is the letter part, i.e.: A minor – the A is the root/tonic and the minor is the type. Wether that is chord or scale.

This article deals with the notes on the guitar and not why you should learn them. Why learn notes on the guitar?

The thickest string on your guitar is called bottom E string.

The notes on bottom ‘E’

Guitar neck strings bottom E notes

In the picture above shows the notes on the guitar.

Playing the string highlighted open(no fretting, no fingers) gives us the note of E.

By pressing the string down on certain frets gives us other notes.

Looking at the image above and the information below gives us those notes.

1st Fret = F

3rd Fret = G

5th Fret = A

7th Fret = B

8th Fret = C

10th Fret = D

Finally 12th fret (the octave) = E
Where are the sharp notes on the Bottom E string?

Learning the flats on the bottom E string

If you look at the 2 images above you’ll see sharps(#) and flats (b).

By playing the ‘E’ string on the 2nd fret we get both F# and Gb.

Knowing both ‘versions’ of these notes will benefit your knowledge.

This works through the string.

Take a look at the 4th fret.

If you fret the string here you get both G# and Ab.

On the 6th string you get A# and Bb.

Exceptions = No E# and Fb

Hope that helps.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.