Rhythm Guitar: Notes On The E And A Strings
Notes On THe E and A Strings: Overview
Knowing the notes on the E and A strings is a vital skill to being able to play rhythm guitar. These notes can be used to play bass and are the target notes to play power chords and barre chords. Using the chromatic scale to learn how the guitar fretboard is organized will also help with note identification on higher strings.
Learn how to find the notes on the low strings and use them to play and write bass lines.
Chromatic Scale
The Chromatic Scale
The musical alphabet is the same as the regular alphabet, but it repeats after G:
A B C D E F G A
The chromatic scale is made up of the smallest interval in western music, the half step. One half step up from a note is a sharp. A half step down from a note is a flat. There is no separate pitch for E#/Fb or B#/Cb. The chromatic scale starting on C is:
C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C
Check your understanding by completing the Guitar Fretboard Worksheet →
Chromatic Scale On E String
The distance between each fret is a half step, just like the chromatic scale. If you understand the chromatic scale, you understand how the notes are organized accross any string.
Finding notes Using The CHromatic Scale
The first step to fretboard mastery is being able to find notes on a string by counting half steps from the open string.
The open string letters from highest pitch to lowest are:
Every Boy Gets Dinner At Eight
Landmarks
12th Fret
The twelfth fret is half of the string length. A note at the twelfth fret is one octave above the open string and shares its letter name.
5th Fret
The fifth fret is the same pitch as the string above. This is true for all strings except for the G string.
The fifth fret of the A string is a D
7th Fret
The seventh fret is an octave higher than the string below.
The seventh fret of the A string is an E
3rd Fret
The third fret of the low E and A strings are used for the open G and C chords. They share the same letter name as the roots of these chords
The third fret of the E string is G
Fret Markers
Find fret numbers easily by using fret markers.
Finding Notes With Landmarks
Apply your knowledge of landmarks and fret markers to quickly find notes on the E and A strings
E String
E String Guided Study
Work on finding the notes on the E string using landmarks in this guided study session.
E String Practice
Find notes on the E string with this guided practice.
E String Through The Circle
Run through the circle of fourths in this guided study session.
E String Assessment
Test your ability to identify notes on the E string by playing the notes through the circle of fourths.
A String
A String Landmarks
Learn the landmarks of the A string..
A String Practice
Work on finding the notes on the A string using landmarks in this guided study session.
A String by Yourself
The chords in this example are played with the roots on the E and A string.
A String Through The Circle
It is the job of the rhythm guitarist to play with good time.
Listen
Transcribe
The best way to learn a riff is by copying it from the recording. Learning this way might be slow at first, but with enough practice you will be able to ear out even the most complicated riffs. Each riff in this section is presented at the original tempo and at a slower speed for easy transcription.
EASY | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED
Easy
Another One Bites The Dust | Queen
This iconic bass line starts on F and uses a syncopated sixteenth note rhythm to
Don’t Stop Believin | Journey
This riff starts on an E and works best when used on both the low E and A strings.
Intermediate
Enter Sandman | Metallica
\m/ This line starts on low E on the E string and goes right into an E on the a string. The last few notes can be played as single s or as power chords to thicken the sound.
Feel Good inc | Gorillaz
This riff starts on low E and uses only the first three frets of the E and A string.
King Of the Hill Theme
The intro to King of The Hill starts on an E and uses alternate picking with sixteenth notes to create a galloping country rock feel.
Advanced
Seven Nation Army | The White Stripes
Its hard to play guitar and NOT know this iconic riff. It starts on E on the A string and can be played only on the A string or on both the E and A string.
Sunshine Of Your Love | Cream
This classic Eric Clapton line starts with E on the A string and is played with both the E and A strings.
Read
Lead Sheet Reading
Both the chord symbol and a slash represent one beat of musical time.
The placement of a chord symbol shows when it changes.
The bass player plays the letter name of the chord.
Examples
Example one | E String Only
Play along to this example by playing the roots of the chords on the E string only.
Example one | A String Only
Play along to this example by playing the roots of the chords on the A string only.
Switching strings
Switching strings makes it easier to play root notes without having to move the fretting hand far.
Playing Bass Lines From Lead Sheets
Practice playing along to songs that you like by using the Noteflight lead sheet scores.
Map out which string is best to play the roots for the chords.
Realize the harmonic rhythm of the progression by playing the root of each chord on the corresponding beat.
Use your ear to figure out the rhythm of the kick drum and link the rhythm to the notes you are playing.
Try to find other notes and rhythms that the bass player plays to match the song.
Write
Learn how to use a pick to play notes on the E and A string
Write and record a single note metal riff.
Listen to the Single Low Note Riff Songs playlist to get the sound of the style in your ear.
Find a combination of notes on the E and A string that you like the sound of and write them down.
Choose a rhythm that fits well with the drum part in Soundtrap.
Record a performance of your guitar riff along with the drum groove.
Add a new track
Add a guitar and bass amp track
Plug in headphones
Use an audio interface, microphone, or internal microphone to record the performance of your riff.
Add distortion effects to complete the sound.
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