Picking up an 8 string can feel like the theory you learned no longer fits. Take a breath, because almost all of it still does.
Scales, intervals, and chords work the same as they always have. What’s new is mapping them across a wider neck and learning where the two low strings fit in.
That’s really the whole job. Once the fretboard clicks, the extra range stops feeling foreign.
This page gathers fretboard diagrams, chord shapes, drills, and lessons in one spot so you can stop hunting. We’ll begin with the fretboard.
8 String Guitar Fretboard Diagram
An 8 string guitar fretboard diagram is a chart that maps out every note across all eight strings. Compared to a standard guitar, you add two lower strings below the low E, most commonly tuned to a low B and a low F#.
Because the top six strings are usually tuned the same as a 6 string guitar, every scale shape and interval pattern you already know stays intact. Your job is to learn how those patterns continue down onto the two new strings so you can navigate the whole neck.
Start by memorizing the open string notes, then the natural notes along each new string at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets. Those reference points make it much easier to find your way around the extended range.
8 String Guitar Exercises
If you’re looking for 8 string guitar exercises, the goal early on is getting used to the wider fretboard, the extra strings, and the longer reach across the neck.
Begin with simple chromatic runs that cross all eight strings so your fretting and picking hands learn the new spacing. Slow, even alternate picking across every string builds the accuracy you need before adding speed.
From there, practice major and minor scales that start on the low F# and low B strings. Playing familiar scales from these new root positions trains your ear and your hands to treat the full range as one connected fretboard rather than a 6 string with two add-ons.
8 String Guitar Chords
If you need help with chord shapes and theory on your eight string guitar, the key idea is that chords work exactly the same way they do on a 6 string. A chord is still built from a root, a third, and a fifth, so the formulas don’t change.
What changes is where you can place those notes. The low B and low F# strings let you add deeper bass notes or play power chords and drop voicings far lower than a standard guitar allows.
Start with movable power chord shapes rooted on the lowest strings, since those are the most common voicings in heavy styles. Once those feel natural, experiment with full barre shapes and partial chords that take advantage of the extended low end.
8 String Guitar Lessons and Courses
Beyond charts and exercises, structured lessons are one of the fastest ways to learn. A good beginner playlist or course walks you through tuning, fretboard mapping, basic chords, and your first riffs in a logical order.
Look for lessons made specifically for extended-range guitar rather than general 6 string material. Instructors who focus on 7 and 8 string playing cover the techniques that matter most, like muting the low strings cleanly and keeping the extra range tight and controlled.
Working through a beginner series start to finish gives you a clear path instead of jumping between random tips, which makes the wider instrument far less overwhelming.
Can I Learn Guitar on an 8 String?
Yes, technically you could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be better off starting on a 6 string guitar.
Learn the basics there first and get yourself a good platform to start from.
Learning on an 8 string guitar is harder than on a 6 string. You’ve a wider neck, more strings to mute, and extra low notes to manage, all while you’re still trying to learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm, and fretting cleanly.
It can absolutely be done over time, but most players find the transition far smoother after building a foundation on six strings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many octaves does an 8 string guitar have?
An 8 string guitar covers roughly four octaves of range. The two extra low strings push the bottom end well below a standard guitar, which is what gives the instrument its deep, heavy character.
What are the benefits of learning 8 string guitar?
Learning 8 string guitar can be a good way to set yourself apart from the crowd. It also opens the door to new techniques and a much wider tonal range, letting you play deep, heavy parts and full chords that a 6 string simply can’t reach.
What kind of music do you play on an 8 string guitar?
You can play any kind of music on an 8 string guitar that you can play on a 6 string. In practice, though, it’s most popular among metal guitarists who use the extended low range for heavy riffs.
You can also learn about tuning 8 string guitars and 8 string guitar metal bands here as well.
Do you need to learn new theory for an 8 string?
Not really. The core theory, including scales, intervals, and chord construction, is identical to a 6 string guitar.
The main difference is practical: you’re learning where those same notes and shapes fall across two additional lower strings.
Final Thoughts
If you’re into metal music, the 8 string guitar is a lot of fun and opens up a whole new world of possibilities for how you play. The theory itself isn’t new, it’s the same scales and chords you already know extended across a wider range.
My recommendation is to start on a 6 string first. Learn your basics there, then carry that knowledge over to the extra two strings.
Once the fundamentals are solid, mapping the new fretboard, learning a few low chord shapes, and running through some exercises will make the move to 8 string feel natural rather than overwhelming.
