First String Notes
on the Guitar

There are three notes on the first string of the guitar in first position - E, F and G. Here is a diagram of how to play these notes on the guitar:

Left Hand Fingering

• Play the E without placing any fingers on the first string.
• Play the F by placing your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string.
• Play the G by placing your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string

Right Hand Fingering

To play these notes with your right hand, pluck the 1st string with your i finger, m finger, a finger, or any combination of these three fingers. For instance, you could repeat the i finger, or you could alternate i-m, m-a, etc. However, you should not use the thumb (p) to play on the 1st string.

You can play with either rest stroke, or free stroke in the right hand.

1st String Notes in Music Notation

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

In sheet music notation

• E is written on the space between the 1st and 2nd lines
• F is written on the 1st line
• G is written on the space above the 1st line

In guitar tablature,

• E is written as a 0 (open) on the 1st line (first string)
• F is written as a 1 (1st fret) on the 1st line
• G is written as a 3 (1st fret) on the 1st line

1st String Exercises

Now, it's time to practice what you've learned! Use these exercises to help you learn to play the notes on the first string.

If you have not done so already, make sure you read the articles on guitar posture, left hand technique, and right hand technique before trying to play these exercises.

Good luck!

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

Return to Music Notation

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