Idle thoughts: why is the G string string "1"?

[Engle]

Acknowledged, but still doesn't make sense to me. Lowest string is closest to me. Notation even starts at the bottom and proceed alphabetically and physically upwards.

I have wondered the same thing. To me the E is the first string.

 

[Mastermold]

Acknowledged, but still doesn't make sense to me. Lowest string is closest to me. Notation even starts at the bottom and proceed alphabetically and physically upwards.

Same right to left is applied to street lanes, far right is the number one lane, next to the left is the number two lane, etc.

 

[Wasnex]

And what would you call the low B? 0 or -1?

What would you call the C in a 6-string set?

 

[lermgalieu]

What would you call the C in a 6-string set?

#6

 

[lermgalieu]

It's the same as numbering floors - the one closest to the ground is 1 and count up from there.

Right, so you are agreeing with me that the lowest string should be #1. We're bassists after all, people.

 

[micguy]

I've never worried about the "number" of a string - to me, the G string is...the G string. Except when I tune a bass to D standard, when it's the F string. When I get a pack of strings with or without numbers, I've always been able to tell which string is which.

So, rather than worrying about what number a string is, I choose to avoid the issue, since I don't see that it is an issue.

 

[lermgalieu]

I've never worried about the "number" of a string - to me, the G string is...the G string. Except when I tune a bass to D standard, when it's the F string. When I get a pack of strings with or without numbers, I've always been able to tell which string is which.

So, rather than worrying about what number a string is, I choose to avoid the issue, since I don't see that it is an issue.

It's usually not, and it is certainly not an issue when I install strings; I have eyes. Those numbers on the Labella string just reminded me of this question However, in certain moments it has been somewhat confounding to me. For example, if a setup guide says the pickup height at the "1st string" should be X and the "4th string" should be Y. I have literally found myself on the internet verifying which is which because it is so opposite to my instincts.

 

[nickpc]

Right, so you are agreeing with me that the lowest string should be #1. We're bassists after all, people.

If you have your bass in playing position and ask a child facing you to number the strings, they'll start with the lowest one. Our perspective, as the player, isn't what the numbering is based on - it's for everyone else.

Teaching martial arts, when you're facing the class you do everything "backward" - when you tell the class to punch with their left hand, you punch with your right so they see you as the mirror image of themselves. Try it the other way and watch how many people start questioning their left and right!

 

[lermgalieu]

If you have your bass in playing position and ask a child facing you to number the strings, they'll start with the lowest one. Our perspective, as the player, isn't what the numbering is based on - it's for everyone else.

Teaching martial arts, when you're facing the class you do everything "backward" - when you tell the class to punch with their left hand, you punch with your right so they see you as the mirror image of themselves. Try it the other way and watch how many people start questioning their left and right!

I don't follow this. I mean, I follow it, but not how it applies to a guitar instrument. I think the child would start with the lowest one and so would I.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I did the same when I started playing. It's only natural to start counting from the front as you see it. If I was counting heads of people in line, I wouldn't start at the back.

But then again, in the Army we would "count off from the rear" when loading a bus.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Stop looking at tabs and think of the strings as E, A, D and G.

 

[lermgalieu]

Stop looking at tabs and think of the strings as E, A, D and G.

I literally don’t use tabs. I read notation, and hate tabs. This concept isn’t used only in tabs. Moreover, I’m not the one using it AT ALL. I think it’s kind of dumb. But you’re missing the actual point, which is why do others number them this way? I know the strings on a bass. Thanks for your input, I guess.

 

[Nev375]

From a blind man's perspective as he reaches and feels across the fretboard the first string his fingers encounter is the G.

 

[Pings Bass]

Acknowledged, but still doesn't make sense to me. Lowest string is closest to me. Notation even starts at the bottom and proceed alphabetically and physically upwards.

Wait wut?

By that logic the lowest pitch string should be physically lowest, as well as being numerically lowest?

Ultimately it's arbitrary, not logical, but it's established. It's always a matter of learning the lexicon of any given field so you can communicate effectively with others.

Like why is there something called a bis key on a saxophone? Why is the hand end of a bow a frog? Why is a nut a nut? Why are they strings and not wires? What about bouts? Hootenanny pegs? Etc. Most of this jargon can be internalized without much fuss, even the things that seem counterintuitive at first.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I suspect the explanation ends up being something like "it was a completely arbitrary decision by Mel Bay five minutes before the press deadline in 1947 and we've all just done it that way ever since just because."

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I literally don’t use tabs. I read notation, and hate tabs. This concept isn’t used only in tabs. Moreover, I’m not the one using it AT ALL. I think it’s kind of dumb. But you’re missing the actual point, which is why do others number them this way? I know the strings on a bass. Thanks for your input, I guess.

I agree with ya (I can't stand tab). I don't really understand why the G is sometimes referred to as the '1' string. I think the E should be. Just weird I suppose.

 

[Katoosie]

Whos in charge at your house!?

 

[BlackVincent52]

To me, just like I read left to right, I think of a string instrument from the lowest note up.

Now we have to ask ourselves why we read left to right. I wonder how people who read Japanese or Hebrew name the strings on their basses...

 

[lermgalieu]

Wait wut?

By that logic the lowest pitch string should be physically lowest, as well as being numerically lowest?

Well, if you want to ignore what I actually said in favor of your argument, sure. I said the lowest string is closest to me, not the floor. Then I said the staff counts pitches upwards - it's GBDF, not FDBG. "Upwards" is a relative concept to the piece of paper, not gravity. Notes are in the same place if you turn the paper upside down.

Ultimately it's arbitrary, not logical, but it's established. It's always a matter of learning the lexicon of any given field so you can communicate effectively with others.

Yet you just made an argument that it makes sense - now you are saying it doesn't need to make sense. Huh?

Like why is there something called a bis key on a saxophone? Why is the hand end of a bow a frog? Why is a nut a nut? Why are they strings and not wires? What about bouts? Hootenanny pegs? Etc. Most of this jargon can be internalized without much fuss, even the things that seem counterintuitive at first.

See above, however, I think your examples are inapposite because none of them use a logical sequence, i.e. 1-4. They are just single words.

 

[lermgalieu]

Now we have to ask ourselves why we read left to right. I wonder how people who read Japanese or Hebrew name the strings on their basses...

Well, I am left-handed, so I am pissed off directionally on the regular.