Introduction
The guitar, which comes from the Latin word cithara, uses a series of strings that you play chords, bass and melody lines to make different sounds. As early as the year 1200, musical instruments such as guitars were being played. Introduced in the 30s, the electric guitar came to be played in such types of music from blues to jazz and bluegrass, metal, reggae, rock, pop and soul.
Types Of Guitars
There are several different types of guitars with the two main categories being acoustic and electric. The acoustic guitar has a large body that is hollow. Acoustic guitars with a large frame have a deep tone while a guitar that is smaller has a lighter tone. An acoustic guitar does not need any kind of amp because of the way it is designed it produces its own amplification.
Musical instruments like electric guitars are most popular in rock, pop, jazz and blues. These types of guitars need the use of an amp to hear the sound properly and are made out of wood. Two of the most popular electric guitars on the market today are the Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster. There is a difference between the strings on an acoustic and an electric guitar. The electric guitar's strings are thinner and closer to the neck. When plucking the strings on an electric guitar, a person does not have to strike the strings as hard versus an acoustic.
Acoustic-electric Guitars are a type of guitar that has had pickups installed. They can be plugged into either a PA system or an amp. These guitars are designed nearly like the acoustic.
Classical guitars or nylon string guitars are what is used in classical and in folk. These musical instruments are smaller than the acoustic with a wider neck.
Hollow body guitars have chambers cut in the body. The guitars come in a multitude of sizes and are geared for jazz and blues players.
Steel guitars are by far the hardest guitar to pick up and start playing. The musical instruments are played on their back with the strings half inch above the fretboard. This type of guitar is what you think of when it comes to the old country style.
How Does An Acoustic Guitar Work?
The guitar consists of three main parts: the neck, the hollow body and the head. The neck is what holds the frets and the head contains the turning pegs. The soundboard is by far the most important part of a guitar. It is responsible for making the sound of the guitar loud enough to be heard. It is attached to the front of the guitar.
When the strings are hit, the soundboard starts to vibrate. The tone a guitar puts out has to do with the shape of the guitar along with the size. Guitars that are shaped entirely not alike will cause different sounds.
Tips and comments
When shopping for musical instruments, you should have a few things in mind. Which type guitars will you need, acoustic or electric? Do you want a brand new guitar or a used one? Sometimes you can find a guitar in good shape that has been previously used at a low price. Ask the salesperson in the store if you can try the guitar out so you can get a feel of the guitar in your hands.
