--- translation-functions.scm~	2021-08-13 01:01:57.847581707 +0200
+++ translation-functions.scm	2021-08-13 01:20:24.542215309 +0200
@@ -465,6 +465,17 @@
                  (list string #f finger)))
            defined-strings defined-fingers))
 
+    (define (find-next-open-string free-strings pitch)
+      (define (iter-strings strings best-string best-pitch)
+         (if (null? strings)
+             best-string
+             (if (and best-pitch (ly:pitch<? (list-ref tuning (- (car strings) 1)) best-pitch))
+                 (iter-strings (cdr strings) best-string best-pitch)
+                 (if (string-qualifies (car strings) pitch)
+                     (iter-strings (cdr strings) (car strings) (list-ref tuning (- (car strings) 1)))
+                     (iter-strings (cdr strings) best-string best-pitch)))))
+         (iter-strings free-strings #f #f))
+
     ;;; body of determine-frets-and-strings
     (let* ((pitches (map note-pitch notes))
            (pitch-alist (map cons pitches (iota (length pitches)))))
@@ -544,9 +555,7 @@
                             '()))
                 (pitch (car pitch-entry))
                 (fit-string
-                 (find (lambda (string)
-                         (string-qualifies string pitch))
-                       free-strings)))
+                 (find-next-open-string free-strings pitch)))
            (if (not (list-ref string-fret-finger 1))
                (if fit-string
                    (set-fret! pitch-entry fit-string finger)