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     Octaves are simply a tone that repeats itself - If you play an E Major chord, you may be playing a six string chord but you are playing only three tones  You should focus on learning the octaves for the first three strings and the rest will fall into place over a period of time. here are some helpful graphics showing octaves on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings.

    Biggest string: Any note on the biggest string has four octave notes that can be found using these patterns: Every note uses the same pattern for the octaves - this of course is in standard tuning. Notice that the biggest string and the smallest string are both tuned to the same tone....  

 Remember that this patterns applies to any note on this string
     

    Second Biggest : Any note on the second biggest string has two octaves tones within reach that can be found by using this pattern: again - this applies to every note, any note on the second string has octaves in the same position as the pattern shows

 Remember that this patterns applies to any note on this string  

    Third Biggest: Any note on the third biggest string has four octave tones within reach that uses basically the same pattern as the one on the biggest string, here you should focus on the octaves going towards the higher pitched notes - towards the smaller strings: 

 Remember that this patterns applies to any note on this string  

   Print out a long blank worksheet (opens in a new window) and practice octaves when ever you can't take your guitar, it may seem redundant but it is not.  remember all this stuff comes from your head before it comes from your fingers.  If you really study the octaves of one tone - that will teach you the octaves for any note on the guitar. To see octaves in action, check out our Octaves Worksheet ...