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source: https://www.w3.org/2021/06/musicxml40/musicxml-reference/elements/string/
downloaded: 2026-01-30T08:45:41.725Z
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# The <string> element | MusicXML 4.0


MusicXML 4.0 >
    MusicXML reference >
    Elements >
    string


# The <string> element


Parent elements:
    
        
        <frame-note>, 
        
        <technical>


The <string> element is used with tablature notation, regular notation (where it is often circled), and chord diagrams. String numbers start with 1 for the highest pitched full-length string.


## Content


string-number


## Attributes

| Name | Type | Required? | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| color | color | No | Indicates the color of an element. |
| default-x | tenths | No | Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy. |
| default-y | tenths | No | Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy. |
| font-family | font-family | No | A comma-separated list of font names. |
| font-size | font-size | No | One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size. |
| font-style | font-style | No | Normal or italic style. |
| font-weight | font-weight | No | Normal or bold weight. |
| placement | above-below | No | Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation. |
| relative-x | tenths | No | Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute.  Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present. |
| relative-y | tenths | No | Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present. |


## Examples


This element is used in the following examples:


<barre>, <bend>, <fingering> (Frame), <fret> (Frame), <pluck>, <pre-bend>, <release>, <tap>, <technical> (Tablature), Tutorial: Chord Symbols, Tutorial: Tablature