In this beginner guitar lesson, we explain what the different parts of the acoustic and electric guitar do
(Image credit: Pipat Pajongwong / EyeEm)
Before you start playing, you need to know how the guitar works. Broadly, guitars fall into one of two categories: acoustic and electric – and, though the inner workings of electric guitars are slightly more complicated, the good news is that the guitar is easy to get started with.
Your guitar probably won’t be identical to either of these, but it will work in the same way. Here’s the important info.
How the acoustic guitar works
STRINGS: A standard acoustic guitar has six strings made either of metal or nylon.
BODY: The vibration of the strings resonates the guitar body to make the sound of the strings louder.
SOUNDHOLE: The soundhole affects the tonal quality and volume of the strings when they’re plucked.
MACHINEHEADS (aka tuners): The strings are attached to the guitar here at the machineheads...
BRIDGE ...and to the guitar body here at the bridge.
NECK: Press down on the strings here to change the pitch of the strings when you pluck them.
FRETS: Metal frets tell you where to put your finger for every musical note on the guitar.
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