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Quizzes > Music

Guitar Quiz: Test Your Strings, Chords, and Theory

Quick, free guitar test to check your skills. Instant results and tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kelly CardonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for guitar quiz testing string identification and trivia knowledge on golden yellow background

This guitar quiz helps you name each string, spot chord shapes, and recall basic theory as you play. When you finish, build vocab with a music terminology quiz, take a quick rock music trivia break, or broaden your scope with a general music quiz today.

Which of the following sequences represents the strings of a guitar in standard tuning from lowest (thickest) to highest (thinnest)?
D G B E A D
E A D G B E
A D G C E A
E B G D A E
Standard guitar tuning from the lowest-pitched string to the highest is E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. This tuning is widely used across many genres, as it offers a balanced range and chord shapes. Learning this sequence is the foundation for string identification and chord formation.
What note is the open third string in standard tuning on a guitar?
B
D
A
G
In standard tuning, the open third string is tuned to G3. This string is one of the four middle strings and is essential for many chord shapes and scales. Recognizing this pitch helps in ear training and fretboard navigation.
What note is the open second string in standard tuning on a guitar?
A
E
G
B
The open second string in standard tuning is tuned to B3. It falls just below the high E string and is used extensively in melodic lines and chord voicings. Knowing this helps with intonation and chord building.
Which string is the lowest-pitched string on a standard guitar?
First string
Fourth string
Sixth string
Third string
The sixth string on a guitar is the thickest and lowest-pitched, tuned to E2 in standard tuning. It provides the bass foundation for chords and riffs. Recognizing string order is crucial for tuning and learning positions.
Which string is the highest-pitched string on a standard guitar?
Fifth string
Sixth string
First string
Second string
The first string is the thinnest and produces the highest pitch (E4) in standard tuning. It's critical for melodies, solos, and high-end chord voicings. Familiarity with this string supports accurate playing and improvisation.
What note does the open fifth string produce in standard tuning?
D
B
A
G
The open fifth string in standard tuning is tuned to A2. It sits between the low E and D strings, often used for bass lines and power chords. Knowing this note helps with scale patterns and chord shapes involving the fifth string.
What note does the open fourth string produce in standard tuning?
D
G
A
E
In standard tuning, the fourth string is tuned to D3. It's central to many chord shapes and scale patterns, acting as a pivot for both rhythm and lead parts. Recognizing this string improves fretting accuracy.
In what units is guitar string gauge typically measured?
Gauge numbers only
Centimeters
Millimeters
Thousandths of an inch
Guitar string gauge refers to the string's diameter, typically measured in thousandths of an inch (e.g., .010, .046). This measurement directly affects tension, tone, and playability. Understanding gauge helps in selecting strings that suit your playing style.
Which of these materials is most commonly used for electric guitar strings?
Nylon
Bronze
Nickel-plated steel
Carbon
Most electric guitar strings are made from nickel-plated steel, combining a steel core with a nickel-plated wrap wire. This construction balances magnetic response, brightness, and longevity. Other materials like bronze are used for acoustics, while nylon is for classical guitars.
What gauge is typically considered a light set for electric guitar strings?
.012
.011
.010
.009
A .010.046 set is commonly referred to as light gauge for electric guitars. The .009.042 set is considered super light or extra light, while .011 and above move into medium territory. Light strings balance playability and tone for many styles.
Which company is renowned as a leading manufacturer of guitar strings?
Yamaha
Gibson
D'Addario
Marshall
D'Addario is one of the worlds largest and most recognized guitar string manufacturers, producing strings for acoustic, electric, and classical guitars. They offer a wide range of gauges and coatings to suit different playing styles. Other instrument makers may offer strings, but D'Addario specializes in them.
In standard tuning, what is the interval between the G and B strings?
Minor third
Perfect fourth
Perfect fifth
Major third
In standard tuning, the interval from the G string (G3) to the B string (B3) is a major third, spanning four semitones. Most other adjacent strings are tuned in perfect fourths (five semitones), making this tuning unique. This interval affects chord voicings and scale patterns.
What does the term string action refer to on a guitar?
The height of the strings above the fretboard
The tension of the strings
The material used for the strings
The gauge of the strings
String action is the vertical distance between the strings and the fretboard, measured at a specific fret. Lower action makes playing easier but can cause buzzing, while higher action can improve tone at the cost of playability. Proper setup balances action for comfort and sound.
Which string type is known for resisting corrosion and extending string life?
Pure nickel strings
Roundwound strings
Flatwound strings
Coated strings
Coated strings feature a polymer layer over the wrap wire, which resists sweat and oils from the players fingers. This coating minimizes corrosion and string wear, extending tone life. While flatwound strings reduce finger noise, they do not have the same corrosion resistance coating.
How does using heavier gauge strings affect playability and tone?
Increases tension and produces a fuller tone
Reduces tension and brightens the tone
Makes bending easier and tighter in tune
Has no effect on tone or tension
Heavier gauge strings have a larger diameter, which increases tension at the same scale length. This higher tension yields more volume, sustain, and a fuller tone, but can be harder to fret and bend. Players choose gauge based on style and comfort.
Increasing string tension on a fixed-scale guitar primarily raises which aspect of the note?
Timbre
Sustain
Volume
Pitch
Tension directly affects the frequency of vibration: higher tension causes strings to vibrate faster, raising the pitch. While tension can also influence volume and sustain, its primary effect is on pitch. A proper balance is crucial for tuning stability and playability.
In Drop D tuning, which string is altered from standard tuning, and what note is it tuned to?
Sixth string tuned down to C
Fifth string tuned down to D
Sixth string tuned down to D
First string tuned down to D
Drop D tuning lowers the sixth string from E2 to D2 while the other strings remain in standard tuning. This allows power chords to be played with a single finger on the bottom three strings and produces a deeper bass sound. It's popular in rock and metal genres.
When you play a natural harmonic at the 12th fret, how far above the open string's pitch is the harmonic note?
Two octaves higher
A perfect fifth higher
Unison with the open string
One octave higher
The natural harmonic at the 12th fret divides the string length in half, producing a pitch one octave above the open string. This harmonic is easy to find and is used for tuning and tonal effects. Other fret harmonics produce different intervals.
Which winding style features a smooth surface and a warm, mellow tone, commonly preferred by jazz guitarists?
Halfwound
Coated
Flatwound
Roundwound
Flatwound strings have a flat ribbon winding wrapped around the core, resulting in a smooth surface and a darker, mellow tone. Jazz players often choose them for their warm sound and reduced finger noise. Roundwounds, by contrast, are brighter and textured.
Which gauge range is typically classified as a 'medium' set for acoustic guitars?
.011.052
.010.047
.012.053
.013.056
A .013.056 gauge set is generally considered medium for acoustic guitars, offering a balance of volume and playability. Lighter sets like .012.053 are easier to fret but produce less projection, while heavier gauges deliver more bass response and tension. Player preference and playing style inform gauge choice.
What is the primary purpose of using a capo on a guitar?
Change the string gauge
Lower the action at the nut
Raise the pitch of all strings evenly
Mute the open strings
A capo clamps across the fretboard, effectively shortening the vibrating length of all strings, which raises their pitch by a set interval. This allows players to maintain chord shapes while playing in different keys. It does not alter string gauge or action.
In guitar technique, what is the primary musical function of a string bend?
To raise the pitch for expressive effect
To lower the pitch gradually
To mute unwanted string noise
To vibrate the string in place
A string bend involves pushing or pulling the string across the fretboard to increase tension and raise its pitch, creating expressive slides between notes. It's a foundational lead guitar technique in rock, blues, and beyond. Proper bending requires accuracy and finger strength.
Which tuning is known as 'Open G' on a standard six-string guitar?
E G C G B D
G D G B D G
D G D G B D
D A D G B E
Open G tuning is D2G2D3G3B3D4, which forms a G major chord when strummed open. This tuning is popular in blues, slide guitar, and rock music for its resonant power-chord shapes. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones often used it.
Which instrument is typically strung with nylon strings rather than steel?
Mandolin
Classical guitar
Electric guitar
Bass guitar
Classical guitars use nylon strings for a soft, mellow tone and lower tension that suits fingerstyle playing and classical repertoire. Steel strings, by contrast, produce a brighter and louder sound and are used on most acoustic and electric guitars.
On a seven-string guitar tuned in standard seven-string tuning, what is the additional lowest (seventh) string tuned to?
D
C
B
A
Standard tuning on a seven-string guitar adds a low B1 string below the standard low E2, resulting in B1E2A2D3G3B3E4. This extended range is favored in modern metal and progressive styles. It maintains the same intervals as the six-string standard tuning.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Guitar String Names -

    Recognize each string name on the guitar, mastering the sequence from low E to high E through our interactive guitar quiz.

  2. Recall Standard Tuning -

    Memorize the standard tuning intervals and pitches for all six strings with instant feedback, ensuring accurate tuning.

  3. Apply String Knowledge -

    Use your understanding of string names to tune and play basic chords, improving practical guitar-playing skills.

  4. Analyze Guitar Trivia -

    Answer engaging guitar trivia questions to deepen your knowledge of guitar history and fun facts.

  5. Assess Your Guitar Skills -

    Evaluate your string-naming proficiency and measure your progress over time with immediate quiz results and tips.

  6. Enhance Music Theory Foundations -

    Connect string identification to broader music theory concepts, laying the groundwork for advanced guitar learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Standard Tuning and String Names -

    Learn the standard tuning of the guitar strings (E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4) using the mnemonic "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie." University music departments like Berklee highlight that memorizing string pitches is foundational before taking any guitar quiz or guitar test. Practice naming strings aloud regularly to build quick recall and confidence.

  2. Fretboard Math: Scale Length and Fret Spacing -

    The distance of each fret from the nut follows the formula Fret n = scale_length - (scale_length / 2^(n/12)) (source: Fender). Understanding this logarithmic spacing helps when you guess fret positions in a guitar trivia or guitar quiz scenario. Grab a ruler and measure frets on a guitar to see theory in action and boost your spatial understanding.

  3. String Gauge, Tension, and Tone -

    String gauge (measured in thousandths of an inch) affects tension, playability, and tone; for instance, a .010 gauge set has lower tension than a .012 (source: D'Addario). Knowing tension charts and experimenting with light vs. heavy gauges gives you an edge in a guitar test when identifying strings by feel or sound. Keep a copy of a tension chart on hand to bridge theory with hands-on practice.

  4. Natural Harmonics and Overtones -

    Natural harmonics occur at fractional nodes like the 12th (1/2), 7th (1/3), and 5th (1/4) frets, producing bell-like tones (source: Juilliard). Recognizing these harmonic points is a fun piece of guitar trivia that can surprise friends or help you nail advanced quiz questions. Practice touching lightly above these frets to hear pitches an octave or more above the open string.

  5. Intonation and Action Basics -

    Proper intonation means the 12th-fret octave matches the open string pitch, adjustable via saddle position (source: Guitar Player magazine). Understanding how action height impacts string tension and fret buzz will boost your confidence in any guitar test or guitar trivia challenge. Try tweaking one string's saddle in small increments and retune to witness direct effects on pitch accuracy.

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