Understanding guitar terminology is crucial for any aspiring guitarist. Whether you’re just starting your musical journey or looking to deepen your knowledge, grasping these fundamental Guitar Terms will significantly enhance your learning experience and communication with other musicians. This glossary provides clear and concise definitions for common guitar terms, helping you navigate the world of guitar playing with confidence.
Guitar Terms Glossary: A-Z
3/4-size guitar: Refers to a guitar built with a body and neck that are approximately 75% the size of a standard full-scale guitar. These guitars are designed for players with smaller frames, such as children or adults who prefer a more compact instrument. The reduced size typically results in shorter string length and less space between frets, making them easier to play for those with smaller hands.
Action: In guitar terms, “action” describes the height of the strings above the frets and fretboard. Low action means the strings are close to the frets, generally making the guitar easier to play and requiring less finger pressure. High action indicates the strings are further from the frets, which can make playing more challenging but may reduce fret buzz. Action is a crucial aspect of guitar setup and playability, and it can be adjusted at the bridge and nut of the guitar.
Altered and Open Tunings: Standard guitar tuning is EADGBE, from the 6th string (thickest) to the 1st string (thinnest). Altered tunings involve changing the pitch of one or more strings away from this standard. Open tunings are a specific type of altered tuning where the open strings of the guitar create a chord. For example, in open D tuning (DADF#AD), strumming the open strings produces a D major chord. Altered and open tunings are used to achieve different sounds, voicings, and playing techniques, particularly in genres like blues, folk, and rock.
Alternate Picking: A fundamental guitar picking technique where the guitarist alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes with the pick. This technique allows for smooth and consistent rhythm and speed in playing melodies, scales, and arpeggios. Practicing alternate picking is essential for developing dexterity and control with the pick.
Arpeggio: An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time, rather than strummed simultaneously. Typically, arpeggios are played in ascending order from the lowest note of the chord to the highest, and sometimes back down again. Arpeggios are used to outline chords melodically and are a key component in both rhythm and lead guitar playing across various musical styles.
Arrangement: In music, an arrangement refers to the adaptation of a musical composition for a different set of instruments or voices than originally intended, or a re-imagining of an existing piece. For guitar, an arrangement might involve adapting an orchestral piece for solo guitar, or creating a guitar-based version of a song originally written for piano. It considers harmony, melody, rhythm, and instrumentation to create a cohesive and effective version of the piece for the guitar.
Barre Chord (Bar Chord): A barre chord, also known as a bar chord, is a guitar chord where the index finger of the fretting hand is used to press down multiple strings across a single fret, effectively acting as a movable nut. This “barre” allows the guitarist to play chord shapes at different positions along the neck, thus changing the root and the chord itself. Barre chords are essential for playing in various keys and are fundamental to many guitar styles, especially rock, pop, and blues.
Bending: String bending is a technique used primarily on electric guitar where a string is pushed or pulled sideways across the fretboard to raise its pitch. Bending can create expressive, vocal-like effects, and is a hallmark of blues, rock, and country guitar playing. Bends are typically measured in semitones or whole tones, and mastering bending control is vital for expressive soloing.
Capo: A capo is a device clamped onto the guitar neck to shorten the vibrating length of the strings. This effectively raises the pitch of all strings by the same interval. Capos are used to change the key of a song without altering the guitarist’s chord fingerings, making it easier to play songs in vocalist-friendly keys or to match tunings with other instruments. It can also be used to create brighter tones and facilitate playing certain chord voicings.
Chord: A chord is defined as three or more musical notes sounded simultaneously to create harmony. Chords form the foundation of harmony in most Western music and are used to accompany melodies, create progressions, and build musical structures. On guitar, chords are played by fretting specific combinations of strings.
Chorus (of a tune): In song structure, the chorus is a section of lyrics and melody that is repeated several times throughout a song, often after each verse. It’s typically the most memorable and catchy part of a song. In jazz contexts, “playing a chorus” refers to a musician improvising over the chord progression of a song’s chorus section.
Closed Voicing: Voicing refers to the specific arrangement of notes within a chord. Closed voicing is a type of chord voicing where the notes of the chord are arranged within a narrow range, meaning they are close together in pitch. This creates a denser, more compact sound compared to open voicing.
Cutaway: A cutaway is an indentation or scoop in the body of a guitar, typically near the neck joint. Its primary function is to provide easier access to the higher frets of the guitar neck, particularly for playing solos or melodies in the upper register. Cutaways are common on both acoustic and electric guitars.
Dropped-D Tuning: Dropped-D tuning is an altered guitar tuning where the lowest string (6th string, normally tuned to E) is tuned down a whole step to D. This results in the tuning DADGBE. Dropped-D tuning is frequently used in rock, metal, and folk music as it provides a heavier, lower sound in the bass and simplifies playing power chords on the lower strings.
Finger Picks: Finger picks are rigid pieces of plastic or metal worn on the fingertips and thumb. They are used primarily by fingerstyle guitarists, particularly in genres like bluegrass, country, and folk. Finger picks produce a brighter, louder tone than using bare fingers and allow for greater articulation and speed when playing fingerstyle guitar.
Fingerstyle: Fingerstyle guitar playing is a technique where the guitarist plucks the strings directly with the fingers and thumb of the picking hand, rather than using a pick. Fingerstyle allows for independent control of multiple voices within a musical piece, often incorporating bass lines, chords, and melodies played simultaneously. It’s a versatile technique used across many genres, from classical and folk to blues and fingerstyle jazz.
Flatpick (Plectrum, Pick): A flatpick, also known as a plectrum or simply a pick, is a small, usually triangular or teardrop-shaped piece of plastic, nylon, or other material used to strike or strum the strings of a guitar. Flatpicks come in various thicknesses, shapes, and materials, each affecting the tone and playing feel. They are essential tools for many guitarists, particularly those playing lead guitar or rhythm guitar in genres like rock, blues, country, and bluegrass.
Footstool: A footstool is a small, adjustable stool used by classical and some acoustic guitarists to elevate one leg, typically the left leg for right-handed players. Raising the leg allows the guitar to rest in a more ergonomic and stable position, improving posture and playing comfort, especially when playing in a classical seated position.
Hammer-on: A hammer-on is a guitar technique executed by sharply bringing a fretting finger down onto a string behind a fret, causing the string to vibrate and sound a note. It’s typically performed after an initial note has been plucked or strummed and is used to smoothly transition to a higher note on the same string without picking again. Hammer-ons are often combined with pull-offs to create legato phrasing.
Harmonics: Harmonics are chime-like, ringing tones produced on a guitar string using specific techniques. There are two main types:
- Natural Harmonics: Created by lightly touching the string at certain points along its length (nodes), such as directly above the 5th, 7th, or 12th frets, and then plucking the string. These points divide the string into simple fractions, producing clear, resonant harmonics.
- Artificial Harmonics (Pinch Harmonics or Tap Harmonics): Produced by fretting a note as usual with the left hand and then using a finger of the picking hand (often the thumb or index finger) to lightly touch the string a specific distance away from the bridge (typically 12 frets higher than the fretted note) immediately after picking. This technique is common in rock and metal guitar playing and can create screaming, high-pitched sounds.
Interval: In music theory, an interval is the distance in pitch between two notes. Intervals are described by both their numerical distance (e.g., second, third, fifth) and their quality (e.g., major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished). Understanding intervals is fundamental to understanding melody, harmony, and chord construction.
Inversion: In chord theory, an inversion refers to a chord where a note other than the root note is the lowest-pitched note in the voicing. For example, a C major chord (C-E-G) in root position has C as the lowest note. The first inversion would have E as the lowest note (E-G-C), and the second inversion would have G as the lowest note (G-C-E). Inversions provide harmonic variety and smoother voice leading in chord progressions.
Lead Guitar: In ensemble music, particularly in genres like rock, blues, and metal, lead guitar refers to the guitar part that typically plays melodies, solos, and fills, often taking a prominent role and standing out from the rhythm section. The lead guitar is often featured during instrumental breaks and is responsible for melodic and expressive playing.
Modulate: To modulate in music means to change from one key to another within a musical piece. Modulation creates harmonic interest and can shift the emotional character of the music. Modulations can occur smoothly or abruptly and are a key element of musical composition and arrangement.
Open Voicing: Open voicing is a type of chord voicing where the notes of the chord are spread out over a wider range, with larger intervals between them. This creates a more spacious and airy sound compared to closed voicing. Open voicings are often used to create richer textures and can be particularly effective on guitar due to the instrument’s tuning and range.
Pentatonic Scale: A pentatonic scale is a five-note musical scale, in contrast to the seven-note diatonic scale that forms the basis of much Western music. Pentatonic scales are found in various musical traditions worldwide and are particularly prominent in blues, rock, and folk music. The minor pentatonic scale, in particular, is a foundational scale for blues and rock guitar improvisation.
Picking: In the context of guitar, “picking” generally refers to the act of plucking or striking individual strings to produce sound, as opposed to strumming multiple strings at once. Picking can be done with a flatpick or with the fingers (fingerpicking). “Picking” can also refer to playing single-note melodies or lead lines on the guitar.
p i m a: These letters are derived from the Spanish names of the fingers of the classical guitar right hand: pulgar (thumb), indice (index), medio (middle), and anular (ring). In classical guitar notation and tablature, “p,” “i,” “m,” and “a” are used to indicate which finger should pluck a particular string. This system helps specify fingerstyle techniques and ensure consistent fingerings.
Plectrum: Plectrum is another term for a flatpick, used to strike the strings of a guitar or other stringed instruments. (See Flatpick).
Positions: In guitar playing, “positions” refer to the different areas along the fretboard where the fretting hand is placed. Often, positions are numbered and are referenced by the fret number where the index finger is situated. For example, “5th position” might indicate that the index finger is positioned around the 5th fret. Positions are used to organize scales, chords, and melodies across the fretboard and to facilitate efficient fingerings.
Power Chord: A power chord is a simplified guitar chord consisting of only the root and the fifth of a scale, and often an octave of the root as well. Typically, power chords are played with just two or three notes and do not include the third, making them neither major nor minor. Power chords are fundamental to rock and metal music due to their powerful, driving sound and ease of play, particularly with distortion.
Pull-off: A pull-off is a guitar technique opposite to a hammer-on. It involves fretting a note, plucking the string, and then quickly pulling the fretting finger off the string in a sideways or downward motion. This causes a lower, previously fretted note on the same string to sound without picking again. Pull-offs are used in legato playing and often combined with hammer-ons.
Rhythm Guitar: Rhythm guitar is the part in a band or ensemble that provides the harmonic and rhythmic foundation for the music. Rhythm guitarists typically play chords and strumming patterns that support the melody and lead instruments. In many genres, the rhythm guitar lays down the groove and harmonic backdrop over which lead instruments and vocals perform.
Setup: Guitar setup refers to the adjustments made to a guitar to optimize its playability and sound. A proper setup typically involves adjusting the action (string height), neck relief (curvature of the neck), intonation (accuracy of pitch along the neck), and sometimes pickup height. A good setup makes a guitar easier to play, improves tone, and reduces issues like fret buzz.
Slide Guitar: Slide guitar is a technique and style of playing where a hard object, called a slide (typically made of glass, metal, or ceramic), is placed on the strings and moved along the fretboard to create a smooth, gliding sound (glissando). Slide guitar is prominent in blues, country, and rock music and allows for expressive, vocal-like phrasing and vibrato.
Standard Tuning: Standard tuning for a six-string guitar is EADGBE, from the lowest pitch string (6th) to the highest pitch string (1st). This tuning has been the most common tuning for guitars in Western music for centuries and is the basis for most guitar instruction and music.
String Winder: A string winder is a tool designed to make changing guitar strings faster and easier. It’s a handle with a notched head that fits over the tuning pegs of a guitar. By turning the string winder, you can quickly wind or unwind strings, saving time and effort during string changes.
Strumming: Strumming is a technique used on guitar and other stringed instruments where a pick or the fingers are used to brush across multiple strings in a rhythmic manner, creating chords or rhythmic patterns. Strumming is fundamental to rhythm guitar playing and is used in countless musical styles to provide harmonic and rhythmic accompaniment.
Tablature (Tab): Tablature, or tab, is a form of musical notation specifically designed for fretted instruments like the guitar. Instead of using standard musical notation on a staff, tablature uses lines representing the strings of the guitar, and numbers on the lines to indicate which fret to play on each string. Tablature is a widely used and accessible way to learn guitar music, particularly for those who don’t read standard notation.
Transcription: In music, transcription is the process of writing down a piece of music that is heard, such as from a recording. For guitarists, transcription often involves listening to guitar solos or songs and writing them out in standard notation or tablature to analyze, learn, and recreate the music.
Transpose: To transpose music means to rewrite or perform it in a different key than originally written. Transposition changes the overall pitch of a piece of music, raising or lowering it by a specific interval. Transposing can be done to accommodate a vocalist’s range, to fit with other instruments, or to explore different tonal colors.
Tremolo: Tremolo can refer to two different guitar techniques:
- Picking Tremolo: Achieved by rapidly and repeatedly picking a single note, typically with alternate picking (down-up-down-up), creating a sustained, trembling sound.
- Whammy Bar Tremolo (Vibrato): On guitars equipped with a tremolo system (whammy bar or vibrato bar), tremolo refers to the effect created by manipulating the bar to raise and lower the pitch of the strings, creating a vibrato or pitch-bending effect.
Triad: A triad is a three-note chord, consisting of a root, a third, and a fifth. Triads are the most basic type of chord in Western harmony and form the foundation for more complex chords. There are four main types of triads: major, minor, augmented, and diminished, each with a distinct sound and harmonic function.
Tuner: A tuner is an electronic device used to accurately tune a guitar or other musical instrument. Tuners can be handheld devices, clip-on tuners that attach to the instrument’s headstock, or software tuners for computers and smartphones. Tuners detect the pitch of a string and indicate whether it is sharp, flat, or in tune, making tuning quick and precise.
Vibrato: Vibrato is a musical effect that involves a slight, rapid variation in pitch, creating a warm, expressive, and sustained tone. On guitar, vibrato can be achieved in several ways, including slightly bending a string back and forth, or using a tremolo system. Vibrato is a crucial element of expressive guitar playing, adding emotion and sustain to notes.
Voicing: In music, voicing refers to the specific way the notes of a chord are arranged, both in terms of pitch order and their spacing. Different voicings of the same chord can create different tonal colors and harmonic textures. Guitarists often explore different voicings to find the best sound for a particular musical context, or to create smoother transitions between chords.
