On the 5th string, the 12th fret corresponds to what note?

The note played on the 5th string at the 12th fret is A. This is because the guitar is tuned to standard tuning, where the 5th string, which is the A string, is tuned to the note A in the open position.

When you play the string at the 12th fret, you are playing two octaves above the open 5th string. The concept of octaves is fundamental in music, where each octave doubles the frequency of the previous note. Thus, the note at the 12th fret on the 5th string will always be the same note as the open string but one octave higher, confirming that the note is indeed A.

This relationship holds for all strings on the guitar, making it easier for players to visualize and understand the fretboard as they learn. Understanding these fretboard positions, particularly how notes repeat every 12 frets, helps players quickly identify notes and navigate the instrument more effectively.