Guitar 101: 12-String Guitar

If you play guitar, chances are you tried to learn Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” at one point or another. But did you know that the famous intro riff is actually played on a 12-string guitar? That alone is a good enough reason to pick up a new instrument, right?

If you’re curious about playing the 12-string guitar, keep reading—we’ll cover what it is, its history, how it’s different from a standard 6-string, and share a few tips for how to make the most of it.

What Is a 12-String Guitar?

A 12-string guitar is exactly what it sounds like—a guitar that has 12 strings. It’s a double course instrument, meaning that instead of the single strings you’d find on a standard 6-string guitar, it has six pairs of closely set strings that are tuned in unison or an octave apart.

Each of the lower four pairs of strings—E, A, D, and G—are tuned an octave apart. For example, the 11th and 12th strings are the regular E you’d find on a standard guitar, plus an E that’s an octave higher.

This is not the case for the highest two pairs, since the B and high E strings are already very high, and tuning strings an octave higher would likely cause them to snap. For this reason, the B and high E pairs are simply tuned to the same pitch.

Difference Between a 12-String and a 6-String Guitar

Because the 12-string guitar has more strings, it is physically structured a little differently from a standard 6-string. For one, the neck is wider to accommodate more strings. It’s also shorter and is usually reinforced to make sure it can handle the tension from 12 strings. Lastly, it has a larger headstock to accommodate more tuning pegs.

When it comes to playing the 12-string guitar, everything—the tuning, chords, strumming, and fingerpicking patterns—is the same as it is with a 6-string. Playing two strings in place of one can take a bit of getting used to, but it’s very intuitive.

guitar head — Source: instagramHeadstock via @northwoodguitars

12-String Guitar Sound

Thanks to the six additional strings, the 12-string guitar produces a very rich, bright sound. The overlay of notes creates a wall of sound that’s been compared to “ringing” or “shimmering.” This happens because when two strings are played in unison or an octave apart, their out-of-sync vibrations create a bit of interference.

In essence, playing one is a bit like playing two 6-string guitars at the same time, so the sound has more depth and volume.

12-String Guitar Origin

It’s hard to say who exactly came up with the idea of doubling up the strings on a standard 6-string, but 12-string guitars started appearing in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. They were likely inspired by other double course instruments, like the lute, mandolin, mandora, tiple, and the charango, which have been around for centuries in other cultures.

It’s believed that the instrument first became popular among street musicians because of its added volume helped them cut through noisy crowds and attract attention. It wasn’t until the 1930s and 40s that well-known musicians popularized the instrument and guitar manufacturers started producing high-end 12-string guitars.

12-String Guitar Music

The 12-string guitar was first popularized in blues and folk music but quickly spread to rock, jazz, and pop. These days, anyone looking to add a fuller sound to their music can reach for one, regardless of their genre.

Famous Songs With 12-String Guitar

Chances are, you’ve already heard the unmistakable sound if you’ve listened to some of these timeless classics:

“Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
“Hotel California” – Eagles
“Wanted Dead or Alive” – Bon Jovi
“Space Oddity” – David Bowie
“A Hard Day’s Night” – The Beatles
“Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
“Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
“Breaking The Girl” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
“More Than a Feeling” – Boston

How to Play a 12-String Guitar

Whether you wish to take up 12-string acoustic guitar or electric guitar, they both play very similarly to their 6-string counterparts. The only real difference is that you’ll be pressing and picking two strings in place of one.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the instrument:

1. Keep It In Tune

Six strings that are slightly out of tune with each other can sound a little unpleasant, but 12 out of tune strings will sound like an outright mess. Because there’s more tension on the neck, the strings tend to go out of tune more quickly, so be sure to keep a tuner on the guitar at all times and tune it often.

2. Tune It Down

One way to decrease the tension on a 12-string guitar is to tune it down by a half step or a full step. This means that instead of tuning the lowest two strings to E, you would tune them to D# or even D. If you’d like to stay in the original key or you’re playing with other people, simply use a capo on the first or second fret to get the guitar back to standard tuning. Just be sure to get a special 12-string capo—they’re made specifically for wider fretboards.

3. Avoid Barre Chords If You Can

Playing barre chords requires you to press on all 12 strings with just one finger, essentially recreating the effect of a capo. While this is doable, there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to apply equal pressure to all 12 strings, and some of them will buzz instead of producing a clean, crisp sound. Whenever you can, replace barre chords with open chords. If needed, transpose your chords down and use a capo.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

The 12-string guitar truly shines when you pick pairs of strings one by one instead of just strumming. However, this can take a bit of getting used to. Start by finding a good pick that’s comfortable to use and practice hitting two strings at the same time. Soon enough, you’ll be able to play scales, arpeggiate chords, and play solos just like you would on a 6-string guitar.

Get Started With Learning 12-String Guitar

If you already know how to play a standard 6-string guitar, learning the 12-string can take your music to a whole new level. Pick one up today and see for yourself just how beautiful it sounds!

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Written By

Sayana Lam

Sayana is a musician, writer and graphic designer based in Toronto, Canada.