Notes on the A String
In Lesson 1, we learned the landmark notes on the Low E string: G A B C D E. Now we are going to do the same thing on the A string. Same idea. Same frets. New root notes.
The A String Landmarks
These are the main A string notes we are learning first:
| A String Fret | Note |
|---|---|
| 3 | C |
| 5 | D |
| 7 | E |
| 8 | F |
| 10 | G |
| 12 | A |
Why These Notes Matter
These notes are not just trivia. Every note on the A string can become the root of a chord.
- Power chords
- A-shape barre chords
- Major chords
- Minor chords
- Scale positions
- Lead guitar patterns
Don’t just memorize a chord shape. Learn where the root note lives. Once you know the root, you can attach the chord shape to it.
A String Root Notes, Power Chords, and Barre Chords
This is the big connection. The note, the power chord, and the A-shape barre chord all come from the same root.
| A String Fret | Root Note | Power Chord | A-Shape Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | C | C5 | C Major |
| 5 | D | D5 | D Major |
| 7 | E | E5 | E Major |
| 8 | F | F5 | F Major |
| 10 | G | G5 | G Major |
| 12 | A | A5 | A Major |
Example: C on the A String
The 3rd fret on the A string is C.
That means the 3rd fret can give you:
- C root note
- C5 power chord
- C Major A-shape barre chord
- C minor A-shape barre chord
Example: G on the A String
The 10th fret on the A string is G.
That means the 10th fret can give you:
- G root note
- G5 power chord
- G Major A-shape barre chord
- G minor A-shape barre chord
Connecting Lesson 1 and Lesson 2
Now you have landmark notes on the two most important strings for rhythm guitar: the Low E string and the A string.
| String | Landmark Notes | Chord Shape Family |
|---|---|---|
| Low E String | G A B C D E | E-shape chords and power chords |
| A String | C D E F G A | A-shape chords and power chords |
Quick Reference: Low E String
Here is the Lesson 1 chart again, so you can compare both strings side by side.
| Low E String Fret | Root Note | Power Chord | E-Shape Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | G | G5 | G Major |
| 5 | A | A5 | A Major |
| 7 | B | B5 | B Major |
| 8 | C | C5 | C Major |
| 10 | D | D5 | D Major |
| 12 | E | E5 | E Major |
Practice Ideas
- Play the A string notes forward: C D E F G A.
- Play them backward: A G F E D C.
- Say the note name out loud as you play it.
- Play the root note, then build the power chord from that note.
- Find the same chord on the Low E string and the A string when possible.
Find the root first. Then attach the shape. That one idea unlocks power chords, barre chords, scales, riffs, and songs.
Bonus: Practice Riffs and Song Connections
The best way to learn fretboard landmarks is to use them in real music. Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 gave us root notes on the Low E and A strings. Now it's time to put those notes to work.
Visit the Working Class Guitar Tablature Library and look for practice riffs, song intros, and examples that use the root notes we've learned so far.
A great place to start is the Pennywise – Bro Hymn practice riff. As you learn the intro, pay attention to where the root notes fall on the Low E and A strings. Try identifying the roots before looking at the tab.
The goal isn't just to learn a song. The goal is to connect the notes, power chords, and fretboard landmarks to real music.