Body
Also referred to as the sound box. This is the largest guitar part and it comes in different shapes and sizes. The acoustic guitars usually have a hollow body, while electric guitars have solid or semi-solid bodies. Acoustic guitars have hollow bodies because they rely on the body structure for sound resonation. Electric guitars use electronic pick-ups to amplify the sound.
Headstock
The part at the end of the guitar which holds the tuning keys. It is connected to the neck of the guitar.
Nut
The piece between the guitar neck and the head. It is a small rod with indentations to hold the guitar strings in place.
Neck
The long section which holds the fret board.
Fret board
The fret board is divided into different notes by small metal rods. The number of frets in a fret board is different, depending on the type of guitar and the brand. Modern electric guitars usually have 20-22 frets in the fret board.
Bridge
A part of the guitar’s body and it is important in sound resonance. It gives some sort of elevation for the guitar strings so they can produce nice vibrations.
Pick-up
An electronic device which acts like a microphone. It picks up the vibrations from the strings and converts these vibrations into electrical impulses.
Amp
The amplifier acts as a speaker box where the sounds of the electric guitar come off.
Capo
A device which is attached to the fret board. Allows a player to play the same chord structures but on a different key.
Riff
Guitar riffs pertain to musical pieces which are parts of a song.
Reverb
It is added to the sound of the guitar through an effects box or through amplifiers to make the sounds a little bit more natural.
Tablature
Guitar tablatures (or guitar tabs) are written music for guitars. It is similar to musical pieces (with notes and other musical symbols) but the notes are translated into guitar frets. It’s a useful tool in learning how to play the guitar.
Vibrato
A guitar technique where the string is slightly bended in a fast rate to make a longer resonating sound.
Arpeggio
A technique where one takes out notes from a specific chord. This can be used to make an adlib lead technique or add to the rhythm of the song.
Pick
The small device which guitar players use in striking the guitar strings. It is usually made of plastic.
Whammy bar
An attachment to the bridge of electric guitars which can be used to bend the pitch of the notes. One can pull the whammy bar to be able to make his guitar “cry.”
Plucking
A picking technique – a player does not strum the strings all at one but hit the strings one by one to be able to get a softer and more defined tone.
Palm mute
A technique where a player uses his picking hand to mute the strings while strumming to be able to get a distinct tone. It is very popular in the punk rock world.
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