Learning Acoustic Guitar: The Parts of the Guitar and Proper Posture

By Scott Forrester

Some people may think otherwise, but in truth learning to play the guitar is pretty easy. The only thing that you need to do is learn where to start, and the proper place to start is by learning the different parts of a guitar. By doing this you will learn the way it works, and then you'll understand the importance of aspects such as string and pick selection. There aren't that many parts in an acoustic guitar, so we'll go over them fast:

1. The biggest part is the body. This is where all the sound comes from, and it emits those sounds through a hole that is carved in the center. This is also where the strings run through from the neck of the guitar.

2. Behind the pick hand at the end of the body you will find the bridge. This is the area in which the strings are attached to the guitar before making contact with the hole, and making their way up the neck. On the majority of acoustic guitars, you will find that this bridge is composed of wood.

3. Then there is the neck, which is on the other end of the guitar's body. The neck is on the left, and is long and skinny. The guitar strings go from the bridge all the way to the top of the neck to the tuning keys.

4. In order to make different notes and sounds with your guitar, you need to place your fingers behind the frets. The frets are the golden bars running across the neck, and there are normally twenty four of them.

5. The nut is a rather important part, and it is a divider that is placed in between the neck and head. It is grooved and keeps the headstock from moving during play.

6. Next there is the headstock, which is the topmost section on the neck. This is where the tuning keys are situated.

7. Tuning keys are the metal tabs which you'll see on the headstock itself. This is where the other end of the strings is situated, and you can use the tuning key to change the tone. This is usually referred to as keeping the guitar tuned.

You have now been filled in on the various parts of an acoustic guitar. The next part of course is to learn the right way to hold this instrument, and if you keep reading you're certain to find out!

For right handed players: The first thing that you need to do is sit down, and make sure that one of your knees is slightly raised to support the guitar. Hold the neck with your left hand, and strum the guitar with your right hand. This is a standard posture that nearly all guitar players use, and if you're still not entirely comfortable, you can use a strap to secure the guitar.

If you need to play with your left handed, then just reverse the posture and make sure that you're comfortable. You can sit in any way that you want, so long as you are comfortable and that the guitar sounds right. - 31872

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