Guide To The Guitar: The Instrument That Rocks.
Guitars have been around for over 4,000 years, but the modern guitar that we know today is only a few centuries old. Bigger than a ukulele and smaller than a piano, the guitar is an instrument beloved by beginners and virtuosos alike. This guide to the guitar is here to offer a comprehensive introduction to the world of stringed instruments and all the benefits that playing them can bring.
What Is A Guitar?
At its most basic, a guitar is a stringed instrument with a hollow body that you strum or pick. It comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations, and typically has anywhere from four to twelve strings. Although guitars have only been around for a relatively short period of time in comparison to other Instruments, their distinct tone and sound continues to be a major influence on all types of music genres.
The two main types of guitars are the acoustic and electric guitars. Acoustic guitars, like their name suggests, rely on their own, natural sound to produce notes, while electric guitars that require can both electric and/or acoustic amplification to be heard.
Parts Of A Guitar
No matter which type of guitar you choose, there are certain key parts to be aware of that every guitar will have.
The body of the guitar is the largest overall section, and this is often where different parts are connected. Usually, the bridge rests just above the sound hole and an electric guitar will have pickups and knobs located in this area. On the right side of the body, the neck extends out and is held in place by screws.
On the top side of the neck, there are metal frets arranged in rows crossways. These are the lines that you push with your fingertips to make different sounds. Pushing down on a fret helps you produce a more precise pitch. Below the frets, there is a plastic/metal bar called the nut, which serves to maintain the string’s position on the neck.
The headstock is the part of the guitar where the strings stretch from the machine heads. These are the individual tuning keys which ensure each string is tuned to the correct pitch. At the other end, the strings are typically fixed in place with a bridge.
Types Of Guitar
The market is awash with different types of guitars, and which one you choose will depend a great deal on your specific needs and preferences. The two predominant groups of instruments out there are acoustic and electric, though these have plenty of variations within them.
Acoustic Guitars
An acoustic guitar generates its sound naturally and doesn’t require any additional amplification, making them great for in-home playing or smaller venues. You can find many variations of the acoustic guitar, including full-sized (also referred to as a dreadnought); concert or parlor models; and classical guitars.
Electric Guitars
The electric guitar is best known for its mix of clean and powerful tones, and are seen as being particularly suited to jazz, rock, metal and more. Electric guitars must be plugged into an amplifier to be heard, and these guitars offer many different tone types due to their pickups and control knobs. Varieties include solid-body, semi-hollow, and hollow-body electric guitars.
Guitar Strings
The strings on the guitar are integral for sounding the notes, so it’s important to make sure you have the right ones for your instrument. Generally, acoustic guitars have steel or bronze strings, while electric guitars are usually fitted with nickel or stainless steel strings.
String combinations range from super light gauges to medium/heavy strings. As a generalised rule, playing a guitar strung with light gauge strings will have a brighter sound, whereas heavier strings have a more mellow sound. As a beginner, it’s best to start on light strings, but if your guitar has been set up and waiting in a shop, this might not necessarily be the case.
Learning How To Play Guitar
Learning to play the guitar is no easy feat. It requires time, patience, and practice. However, with a good teacher/mentor/tutor that can be a great help and really bring the fun of playing music to life.
The most important thing for beginner guitar players is to get the basics right. Simple chords, scales and finger exercises are the best place to start, as well as learning basic music theory. From there, you can progress to more complex chord formations, improvisation and even writing your own music.
Guitar Maintenance and Care
Just like with any instrument, taking proper care of your guitar is key to ensuring its longevity. Regular cleaning and polishing of the guitar’s body, strings and machine heads will help to keep it in good condition.
The neck of a guitar should be kept as straight as possible and any physical defects should be taken to a professional to be fixed. A truss rod should be checked every couple of months to ensure it hasn’t been knocked out of tune, and all the strings should be checked for signs of rusting or corrosion.
Conclusion
The guitar is a popular, incredibly versatile instrument packed with a range of tones and sounds that can bring any musical style to life. Whether you like the deep, resonate sounds of an acoustic guitar, or the crunch and bite of an electric, the guitar has something to offer players of all levels and abilities. With this guide to the guitar, hopefully you have gained a greater insight into the instrument, including its different types and parts, maintenance and care, and how to learn the guitar. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start strumming!