A guitar is a stringed musical instrument typically made of a hollow wooden body, a neck with a fingerboard, and six strings stretched over a bridge and tuned to specific pitches. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings with the fingers or a pick.
Main types of guitars
- Acoustic guitar: Produces sound solely through the vibration of its strings resonating in the hollow body.
- Electric guitar: Uses magnetic pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals, which are then amplified.
- Classical (nylon‑string) guitar: Features a wider neck and nylon strings, suited for classical, flamenco, and folk styles.
Key parts
- Body: The resonating chamber (or solid body for electric guitars).
- Neck: Holds the fingerboard, frets, and headstock.
- Headstock: Houses the tuning pegs that adjust string tension.
- Bridge: Anchors the strings to the body.
- Pickups (electric only): Capture string vibrations for amplification.
Guitars are versatile across many genres, from rock and blues to jazz, country, and classical music. They can be played solo, in ensembles, or as accompaniment for vocals.