Fifth String Notes on the Guitar

There are three notes on the fifth string (A string) of the guitar in first position - A, B and C. Here is a diagram of how to play these notes on the guitar:

Left Hand Fingering

• Play the A without placing any fingers on the 5th string.
• Play the B by placing your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
• Play the C by placing your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string

Right Hand Fingering

In general, use the p finger to play notes on the fifth string. You can use either rest stroke or free stroke

Occasionally, you may use the i finger, m finger, a finger, or any combination of these three fingers to play the fifth string. This is less common though.

Fifth String Notes in Music Notation

The diagram below shows the fourth string notes of the guitar written in guitar sheet music notation and in guitar tablature notation.

In sheet music notation

• A is written on the second line added below the music staff
• B is written on the space below the first line added below the music staff
• C is written on the first line below the staff

In guitar tablature

• A is written as a 0 (open) on the 5th line (5th string)
• B is written as a 2 (2nd fret) on the 5th line
• F is written as a 3 (3rd fret) on the 5th line

Return to Music Notation

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