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

[lermgalieu]

Some things in life are, well, arbitrary. Embrace it.

Sometimes things are arbitrary in a way that impedes progress and understanding.

 

[iiipopes]

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

Except where that is "Ground" and 1 is the 1st floor above the ground level...

Which is how the UK traditionally numbers floors in buildings.

 

[drumvsbass]

Top to bottom, sonically speaking. Not visually.

 

[Ostie]

Why don’t they just call the high string……G? That seems to be less confusing for fivers and sixes. Unless you use non-standard tuning, in which case you’re on your own. I mean, at that point you’re looking at string gage anyway. My guess is that this goes back centuries to double bass players who never foresaw fivers, sizers and eights.

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

But yea, maybe my thread should be named "why is the HIGHEST string always '1'?"

The highest string is the E or 4. The lowest string is the 1 or G. But the highest string is also the lowest string and the lowest string is also the highest string.

Unless you're a lefty?

 

[lermgalieu]

The highest string is the E or 4. The lowest string is the 1 or G. But the highest string is also the lowest string and the lowest string is also the highest string.

Unless you're a lefty?

You have correctly summarized the nonsensicality. And actually yes, I am a lefty. But I play righty.

 

[rashrader]

Sometimes things are arbitrary in a way that impedes progress and understanding.

I’m hoping that you’re aren’t referring to string numbering…

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I installed some Labella strings last night, and they have those little handy die on them that tell you which is which (even though it's obvious). And it made me wonder - when you see tab, instructional books or setup guides that reference the strings on a 4-string bass, they always call the G string "1" and the E string "4." I believe this is true of 5 strings and guitars as well. It makes no sense to me, which might be just because I am a bassist. To me, just like I read left to right, I think of a string instrument from the lowest note up. So if I was in charge, the E string would be #1. Of course, I am not in charge, even in my own house, so this will remain an idle musing.

Because, a bass guitar is tuned to G, in a series of fifths.




I think of it, like sheet music. High notes are on top of low notes. So, numbering goes from high to low. Just my way of seeing the picture.

 

[lermgalieu]

Because, a bass guitar is tuned to G, in a series of fifths.




I think of it, like sheet music. High notes are on top of low notes. So, numbering goes from high to low. Just my way of seeing the picture.

But B comes after A.

 

[lermgalieu]

I’m hoping that you’re aren’t referring to string numbering…

Sure am. I wouldn’t buy a book that said “your lowest note is on the fourth string.” Because I’d be better off without the book, since that sentence is completely non-intuitive.

 

[lermgalieu]

Top to bottom, sonically speaking. Not visually.

But the bottom should be 1. That’s at the bottom all the numbers, unless you count 0 or negative numbers.

 

[rashrader]

Sure am. I wouldn’t buy a book that said “your lowest note is on the fourth string.” Because I’d be better off without the book, since that sentence is completely non-intuitive.

Sounds reasonable. Enjoy your evening.

 

[DCCat]

String gauges in a set are normally listed in the order of thinnest to thickest. So to the extent that it makes sense to assign ordinal numbers to the strings at all (arguable), it probably makes sense to number them in gauge order, so that the ordinal numbers correspond to the order in which the gauges are listed on the front of the package.

That's my best shot at a logical rationale.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

But B comes after A.

Yeah, 2/5 after A

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

Because, a bass guitar is tuned to G, in a series of fifths.

Actually, it's tuned in fourths. Unless you're going in the other direction...

Damn metric system.

 

[Matt O]

Yeah it’s messed up that strings are numbered highest to lowest, but when you describe how the instrument is tuned, you list lowest to highest.

Might make me quit music altogether.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I was simply responding to the OP's suggestion the E string should be #1 with the G being #4. This is all supposed to be "idle musing", remember?

‘But I thought my dry sense of humor would come across producing volumes of roars of laughter… I should know better…

 

[jdh3000]

Someone undecided person flipped a coin and said that's how it will be, and got enough people on board with it until it became a thing...

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Actually, it's tuned in fourths. Unless you're going in the other direction...

Damn metric system.

No, it's tuned to G, in descending fifths. Ascending from 1 - 4.

It would be tuned to E, in ascending 4ths. Descending from 1 - 4, if the E string were string 1.

But, it's not

 

[JTE]

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."

Or because violinists, violaists, cellysts, and double bass players have called the highest pitched string the 1st string for centuries, as did Carcassi et. al. ?