Guitar part – In the world of music, the guitar is the most important element that can create beauty and interest for listeners. In this part of the world there are already many people who like and even proficient in playing the guitar. From various guitar fans and those who are proficient at playing the guitar, the quality of their playing is certainly different. This is due to differences in technique, ability, and even their flying hours.
In order to achieve maximum proficiency and quality in playing the guitar, training and understanding of the guitar is required. Before training yourself to play the guitar, we need to first understand the parts contained in the guitar.
Guitar Parts
1.Headstocks
On a guitar instrument, the headstock is at the very end of the guitar, which is on the neck farthest from the body of the guitar. The headstock functions as a place for the machine to wind the guitar strings which will be attached to the head. In installing the strings, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the strings or strings because it will later affect the pattern of the pitch on the guitar playing.
In general, each side of a symmetrical headstock has 3 players with the position of the players having a composition of 3 3. There are 3 players on the right and there are 3 players on the left. However, there are actually many other variations of the pattern for placing the string rollers on the guitar.
The position of the headstock is not only related to variations in the appearance of the guitar but also affects the sound production as well. If the headstock tilts backwards, the strings will automatically be pressed tighter against the nut, so that the vibrations of the strings will be channeled perfectly from the neck to the body and guitar pick-up. Meanwhile, the position of the headstock which is parallel to the neck can help suppress the guitar strings contained in the nut by ensuring that the binding post is also attached.
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2. Machine Heads
Machines Heads on guitar musical instruments are commonly called peg heads or tuning keys. Machines Heads is a panel in the scrolling of the strings and where the strings are set on the guitar. Machines Heads or peg heads or tuning keys also function to adjust the tension of the guitar strings. In setting the tension of the guitar strings, it will affect the high or low tone of each of the guitar strings.
The peg has a function to adjust the tension of the strings or as a tool to rotate the strings. In addition, the lever hook is used as a place to attach the strings, which when the peg is rotated, the lever will rotate. The peg consists of a roller, teeth or gear, a rod to lock the strings, and a rod to roll the guitar strings.
3.Nut
The nut on a guitar instrument is a small object with an elongated shape that is placed between the head handle or headstock and the fret board on the guitar. The nut is used as a bearing which has a function as a support for the guitar strings so that later the sound that comes out of the guitar will sound loud. Without the nut on the guitar, the sound that comes out will not sound loud. Almost all guitars that are created have a nut.
In general, the Nut is in the form of small strips made of bone, plastic, brass, corian, graphite, stainless steel, and paper-based media. The nut is placed together with the headstock to fill the fretboard.
4. Necks
In a guitar instrument, the neck functions as a guitar neck or is called a guitar handlebar. The neck is used as a place to attach the frets, fretboard, tuners, headstock and guitar stick clusters.
Most of the use of wood in making the fretboard usually uses a different wood from the wood used in the neck of the guitar. Making the neck on a guitar instrument needs to be considered, especially in terms of neck tension which greatly affects the pattern of pitch points. Good tension is able to make the tone produced in guitar playing will remain constant over a long period of time.
In rolling the strings that remain upright when the guitar is not played it can affect the neck of the guitar to become easily bent. In making it, you need to consider several things, including: the width of the fretboard, the scale or distance between the frets, the wooden neck, the type of neck construction, and the shape of the back of the neck. The types of materials used in the manufacture of guitar necks, namely: aluminum (Kramer guitar, Travis Bean, and Veleno Guitars), or with carbon fiber (Modulus Guitar and Three Guitars).
5. Fingerboards
The fingerboard or fretboard on a guitar instrument is also commonly called piano keys. As the name suggests, Fingerboard or fretboard is defined as a finger board. Fingerboard which is a board pressed on a guitar musical instrument. In this section, players will place their fingers to press the strings at a certain fret, which is where the fingerboard is placed on the neck of the guitar.
The fingerboard or fretboard is made of wood embedded with metal frets and comprises the neck of the guitar. In general, the fingerboard or fretboard is made of ebony, maple, or is made of a composite material (such as HPL or resin). The fingerboard or fretboard is used as a place to rest when playing while pressing the guitar strings.
6. Frets
Frets are lines that originate from metal bars made from nickel alloy or stainless steel. Frets are placed along the fretboard and placed at the points that divide the scale. Frets on guitar instruments are used to limit the tone area on the guitar fingerboard or fingerboard on the surface of the guitar neck or neck.
Additionally, the frets can be used as cushions for the guitar strings when pressed. From this function, if a player uses his guitar frequently, it is possible that the surface of the frets on the guitar can be eroded or damaged as a result of friction when the guitar is played.
The placement of the frets determines the sound quality of the guitar when played by a player. If the frets function is maximized, the sound produced from the guitar will be even clearer. In general, the shape, size, and number of frets will vary according to the type of guitar.
7. Strap pins
Strap Pins on guitar musical instruments are usually made of metal material which is placed in place to attach a strap or strap. In general, especially electric guitars, there are two strap pins. Meanwhile, on an acoustic guitar, which only has one strap pin at the end or back of the guitar, then the other end of the strap will be tied around the headstock.
8. Body Side
Body Side on a guitar instrument can also be called a side-board. Body side is a board that is on the side of the guitar. In general, the body side is curved or looks like wavy. However, there are also straight or bulging guitar body sides .
On an acoustic guitar, the body of the guitar is used as a sound chamber that can amplify the sound produced by plucking the guitar strings. Which is where, on the body of the guitar, the pickups and volume control are attached.
9. Pickups
The pickup on a keyboard instrument is usually called a spool. The spool is specially designed for guitars. The pickup has the task of recording waves of sound sonar signals through the vibrations of metal guitar strings when they are being plucked.
The pickups in electric guitars are capable of converting sound vibrations from the strings into electrical signals. The resulting signal will be forwarded to the amplifier. In principle, the work function of the pickups on this guitar instrument is almost the same as the work function of the microphone.
The level of sensitivity of the pickup in recording these waves depends on the type and material, the number of windings, where the pickup is installed, and other supporting elements.
10.Bridge Base
In guitar musical instruments, the bridge base is the part of the stem that has a nut-like shape. In general, the bridge base on a white guitar instrument is made of ivory, metal, or fiber.
The Bridge Base is used for the holder and support of the guitar strings so that it can maintain the distance between the strings and the guitar press board. In addition, the bridge itself serves to connect the guitar strings with the guitar body. The bridge on the guitar instrument varies greatly depending on the type of guitar.
11.Position Mark
Position mark or Fret Board Inlay on a guitar musical instrument is a point that is placed on the neck of the guitar or neck. Position mark has a function to mark a certain fret position on the neck of the guitar or the guitar’s pressure board. It aims to make it easier in terms of determining the position on one of the frets.
12. Heels
The heel on the guitar is under the fretboard. The heel is firmly affixed to the side of the body of the guitar. The heel is commonly referred to as a guitar heel because it is seen from its shape which is like the heel of a shoe. The heel is the part that connects the neck of the guitar with the body of the guitar.
In a guitar instrument, the heel functions as a support and can pull the neck of the guitar so that it remains in position so that it does not bend when there is tension from pulling the guitar strings.
13. Rosettes
Rosette is a decoration or as an ornament that is shaped like a rose design. The designs range from simple to complex. The shape of the rosette is a circle and is placed on the edge of the sound hole or sound hole.
14. Soundhole
The sound hole or resonance hole on a guitar is a circular sound hole. In general, the sound hole is in the body of an acoustic guitar. The sound hole has a function, namely to transmit sound from the guitar to the body of the guitar which is produced due to the plucking of the guitar strings.
In addition, the sound hole functions as a loudspeaker which is generated from the vibration of the guitar strings that enter the body cavity of the guitar. At this time, sound holes or resonance holes were not only circular in shape, but some were oval in shape.
15.Soundboard
The sound board, also known as the face-board, is the soundboard found on a guitar instrument. The sound board is at the front of the guitar as a resonance box for the sound produced by the guitar. The sound board has a function to cover the cavity of the guitar so that the sound vibrations produced by the guitar strings will not be separated or lost or function to resonate the sound produced by the guitar so that the sound coming from the plucking of the guitar strings becomes louder and louder.
The soundboard has a tube-like shape in which there is room. If there is a leak on the sound board it will affect the clarity of the sound produced.
16. Saddles
The saddle on a guitar instrument is the support or bearing of the bridge base which is attached to the body of the guitar or is in the bridge slot. The saddle is used to attach the ends of the guitar strings, where the strings are above the saddle and then pressed and tied before the strings pass through the bridge hole.
If the saddle is weak and cannot hold the pull when the strings are rolled, it will reduce the tone quality when the guitar is played. The solution is to provide a lock that will later be attached to the inside of the guitar faceboard. In addition, the saddle has a function that is almost the same as the nut, which is used so that the sound produced from the plucking of the guitar strings will sound loud.
17. Strings
Strings are commonly called strings. The strings on guitars are made of metals, polymers, animals and plant-based products. In this modern era, electric guitars are usually made of steel or nickel phosphor bronze as the main material.
Basically, the strings contained in a guitar instrument consist of 6 (six) strings. Each of these strings will produce a different sound. However, there are also guitars that have more than 6 (six) strings, that is, like there are 7 (seven) or 12 (twelve) strings.
There are 2 (two) types of strings that are generally used, including strings or nylon strings. The two are different, in that the strings have a clearer and sharper sound than the nylon strings. Even though the strings will produce a clearer and sharper sound, they will be more comfortable to play and really help guitar players who are still at the beginner stage.
18. Pickup Selector switches
The pickup selector switch is a switch found on an acoustic guitar instrument. This section has a function to determine which pickups will be activated.
19.Output jacks
On a guitar instrument, the output jack is a part that is installed in front of or under the body of the guitar. The output jack has a function as a jack in and out hole or jack plug. The output jack is a jack plug that feeds from the amp or sound processor pedal, so that the resulting sound will flow and can be amplified by power through the speakers.
An easy explanation, the output jack is an output signal device that needs to be connected to an amplifier device. It is intended that the sound of the electric guitar will be heard clearly. There are 2 (two) types of output jacks on guitars, namely stereo and mono.
Of the several parts contained in the guitar musical instrument and its functions described above, it is necessary to understand it first. If you already understand it, Sinaumed’s will be easier to learn later. You can really learn to play guitar musical instruments on your own until you are proficient, of course there are lots of techniques and ways that you can find through books at sinaumedia.com
Well, that’s an explanation of guitar parts that will make it easier for you to play the guitar. After reading this article to the end, I hope you will be more enthusiastic about playing the guitar. If you want to find books about songs and musical instruments, you can get them at sinaumedia.com .
To support Sinaumed’s in adding insight, sinaumedia always provides quality and original books so that Sinaumed’s has #MoreWithReading information.
Author: Nabila Frithania
Reference source
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Renaldi, A., and Erizawa, E. (2009). Good at Playing Guitar: Choosing a Guitar, Effects, Sound System According to the Musical Genre. South Jakarta: Publisher PT Kawan Pustaka.
Kautsar, AFA (2016). Good at Playing Guitar. Yogyakarta: Genesis Learning.
Firmansyah, L. (2018). Only 1 Week Already Good at Playing Guitar . Media Pressindo
Pamungkas, AJ (2020). Master Guitar Without a Teacher . Pustaka Hikam.
Asriadi, D. (2004). Guide to Accompanying Songs with Guitar . Library Friend.
Wasisto. (2021). Collection of Good Songs for Playing Guitar . 3TAN.
Setiono, GA (2010). Techniques, Tips & Tricks Good at Guitar . Jakarta: PT Buku Kita.