Nov 23 2008
All about the 12 string guitar
12 string guitars may seem like a mammoth of responsibility when it comes to keeping your strings tuned but its’ not as complicated as you may think. No deviations from standard tuning are required and alternate tunings become a snap once you have the basics down. You don’t need to learn new chords or fingerings to pick up a 12 string guitar. In fact, it is no different than playing a 6 string.
The key to understanding the 12 string guitar is to think of two strings as one. While the E, A and D strings are octaved, the G,B and high E strings are ‘chorused’ meaning they are identical notes. If you look at the strings on a 12 string guitar you may notice the strings go big, small, big, small. In this sequence the larger string is the lower form of a note and the smaller string is the higher (until you get to the doubled notes).
12 String Video Example
On many western style 12 strings, the common problem is that the high G string tends to break easily. This is because it is under an usual amount of tension. On a 6 string guitar, the highest amount of tension is on the high E string, since a high G is almost a full step above this note, breakage problems can result. To remedy this, consider using the lightest gauge of strings (.009) or tuning your 12 string a step down from standard tuning and using a capo to bring it up to standard.
Heres another 12 string guitar tuning lesson with photos and examples.
