Third String Notes
on the Guitar

There are two notes on the third string (or G string) of the guitar in first position - G and A. Here is a diagram of how to play these notes on the guitar:

Left Hand Fingering

• Play the G without placing any fingers on the 3rd string
• Play the A by placing 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string

Right Hand Fingering

To play these notes with your right hand, pluck the 3rd 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 3rd string (except in some few special circumstances).

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

Third String Notes in Music Notation

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

In sheet music notation,

• G is written on the space between the 4th line down
• A is written on the on the space between the third and fourth lines

In guitar tablature,

• G is written as a 0 (open) on the 3rd line (3rd string)
• A is written as a 2 (2nd fret) on the 3rd line (3rd string)

Return to Music Notation

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