Parts of a guitar

Before you learn to play the guitar, it helps if you know the parts of a guitar.  These parts will be reference through any lesson or tutorial you may come across, which is why it is helpful to know them.  Knowing the parts of a guitar also helps you understand the language of guitars.

Click here to learn more about the parts of a guitar with Jamorama!

Here is a list of the main parts of a guitar:

• body — The large, rounded part of the guitar.  This is the largest part of the guitar.
• neck — The long part of the guitar that sticks out from the main body.
• Head — The part of the guitar at the end of the neck that houses the tuning keys.
• Tuning keys — The knobs at the end of the neck that are used to tune the guitar.
• Bridge — Located on the body, it is the part of the guitar that the strings attatch to.
• Bridge bone — The part of the bridge that the strings rest on.
• Sound hole — Only found on acoustic guitars, this is the hole on the body under the stings.  This is what makes the guitar project sound.
• Fret — Located on the neck of the guitar, these are the marked “lines”, or ridges, where you place your fingers.  You press the strings against these to make the different notes.
• Pick guard — Another feature usually found only on the class of  acoustic guitars known as folk guitars.  This is usually found just under the sound hole.
• Strings — The part of the guitar that you pluck or strum.  They are usually made of steel or nylon, depending on the type of guitar you are using.
• Position markers — Dots usually placed on guitars to help quickly identify which fret needs to be used.
• Output jack — A hole found on all electric and bass guitars and some acoustic guitars. The output jack, usually located either near the bridge or at the base of the guitar opposite the neck, is used to connect the guitar to an amp or sound system.
• Guitar strap knobs — These are round knobs usually at the bottom base of the guitar (opposite the neck) and at the heel of the guitar.
• Heel — The “hump” on the body of the guitar where the neck and body meet. The heel is under the neck.
• Controls — On guitars with an output jack are two control knobs, usually near the bridge and under where the sound hole when held.  One usually controls volume and another controls tone.
• Tremolo — Also known as the Whammy bar, this is the lever looking thing found on electric guitars and usually is located near the controls.

Although some of these in the list are specific to one type of guitar or another, most of them are common across all types of guitars.  Now that you know the parts of the guitar, you are ready to start learning what they do and how to use them.