Guitar strings are thin, elongated pieces of material that produce sound when plucked or strummed. They are typically made from materials like nylon, steel, or bronze, and come in various gauges, which refer to their thickness. The tension and material of the strings affect the tone and playability of the guitar. There are usually six strings on a standard guitar, each tuned to a specific note: E, A, D, G, B, and E, from the lowest to the highest. Players can choose different types of strings based on their playing style and the sound they want to achieve, making string selection an important aspect of guitar performance.