Home > Learning Center > Guitars

Guitars

Guitars come in a wide variety of types and designs. There are acoustic, electric, and hybrids of the two. There are also custom guitars and bass guitars, each with its own particularities and abilities. Many of the principles of playing cross into each kind of guitar.

The typical guitar has six strings (four for bass guitars). However, there are guitars that have four, ten, eight and twelve strings. The ancient guitar was traditionally made out of wood and animal parts. Today, the latter category has mostly been replaced with nylon and steel. Many different kinds of wood are used to create different appearances and sounds.

Acoustic guitars produce sound by plucking the string, causing it to vibrate over a soundboard, which is laid over the body of the guitar. The string causes the soundboard to vibrate and the body amplifies the sound.

Electric guitars utilize the same basic principle, but instead of the string vibrating over a soundboard, they vibrate over a magnetic coil called a pick-up. The pick-up then converts the vibration to an electronic signal, which is then sent to an external amplifier and speaker.

Not to be overlooked, the bass guitar is also central in most kinds of bands. The bass usually features four strings and is utilized to keep the rhythm. They look about the same as other electric guitars, but create a low pitched bass sound that is quite different. The electric bass, which is more compact and portable than the traditional double bass, has largely replaced it in most tour settings. 

Overall, the guitar has become a ubiquitous musical instrument in recent times. It has become a staple of modern pop and rock music, and is also heard in classical, jazz, bluegrass, country, and nearly every other genre. Its affordability and simple design have made it one of the most popular instruments ever created. Moreover, the role it has taken on in popular culture as the sexiest of instruments has only increased its popularity, and it doesn’t appear the guitar’s relevance will fade away any time soon.

 

Guitars | Acoustic guitar | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

©