6 String Electric Guitar for Beginners | First Guitar Setup

Starting with a 6 string electric guitar means learning standard E–A–D–G–B–E tuning, basic open chords, and a simple practice routine.

Getting your first 6 string electric guitar is an exciting step. The instrument itself is straightforward: six strings tuned E–A–D–G–B–E from lowest to highest pitch. To actually play, you’ll need the guitar, a cable, and a small practice amp. Before your first practice session, tune all six strings using a digital tuner or a tuning app on your phone. The routine below gets you from unboxing to playing your first chords without the usual frustration.

What You Need to Start Playing

You need three pieces of gear to hear your electric guitar properly. The guitar holds the strings, the cable carries the signal, and the amp makes it audible.

• Electric guitar — six strings, standard E–A–D–G–B–E tuning.
• Instrument cable — connects the guitar’s output jack to the amp.
• Practice amp — small, low-wattage amp for home use; start with the volume low.

Plug the cable into the guitar and amp, turn the amp on, and you’re ready. For the full rundown on models that suit new players, our tested 6 string electric guitar picks break down the options that actually play well for beginners.

Standard Tuning and String Order

Standard tuning is E–A–D–G–B–E. The strings run from thickest to thinnest, and each one has a number.

D’Addario’s guide on six guitar string notes confirms this order. Tune each string before every practice session: pluck the string, check the tuner reading, then tighten or loosen the peg until the note lands correctly.

Your First Chords and Playing Posture

Start with first-position open chords like E minor, C, A, and G. These shapes use only the first few frets and build the finger strength you’ll need for everything else.

For seated playing, rest the guitar on your right thigh if you’re right-handed, and keep the neck angled slightly upward. Hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger with a relaxed grip — a death grip wears out your hand fast. Practice slow downstrokes on open chords before tackling chord changes or power chords. For power chords later, fret a root note on the 6th or 5th string and add your ring finger two frets higher on the next string down. Yousician’s beginner guide covers this same progression from first chords to full songs.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Three habits derail most new players. Skipping tuning means you practice with a sour-sounding guitar, which trains your ear wrong. Holding the neck too flat or letting your thumb wrap over the top cramps your fretting hand. And gripping the pick too tightly makes strumming stiff. Start with the amp volume low and increase slowly to protect your hearing while you build coordination.

String gauge matters too: use the right gauge and setup for your guitar so it feels comfortable under your fingers. If your guitar arrived from a shop, a quick setup check keeps the action playable. Left-handed players should reverse the seating guidance, resting the guitar on the left thigh.