Godflower Music Co. - Beginner's Guitar Lessons by Kevin Lauer

In Lesson 01, we will learn the parts of the guitar. This is important so that we can understand the terminology and be able to follow the instructions throughout the rest of the course. The terms used in this course to describe the parts of the guitar are the standard terms used by most guitarists.

First, download the diagram of the guitar that we have provided. Click here for a .doc type file if you are using Microsoft Word™, or click here to see it on .html (web) format. If you would like to print the diagram, it is best to download the .doc file. To ensure that the page is viewed correctly, make sure you set all your margins to 1.0" (one inch) and set the page orientation to landscape. Click here for instructions on how to adjust your print settings.

Next, download page 2, which is the same diagram without the parts labeled. You may wish to print several copies of page 2 so that you can practice filling in the blanks. Click here for the Microsoft Word™ .doc file, or click here to see the online .html page. Again, make sure your margins are set to 1.0" (one inch) and the page orientation is set to landscape.

Study page 01 and use it to identify the parts on your own guitar.

HEAD - The top-most part of the guitar, where the strings come to an end.

TUNING KNOBS - Small attachments to the head of the guitar which, when turned, adjust the tightness, and therefore the pitch, of the strings.

NUT - The thin piece of plastic or wood between the head and the neck of the guitar upon which the strings are held in place.

STRINGS - The long wires extending across the length of the guitar which, when strummed, emit a tone.

FRETS - The thin pieces of wood or plastic along the neck of the guitar between which the player places his or her fingers to change the pitch of the strings.

NECK - The long piece of wood extending from the guitar's body to its head.

PICK GUARD - The piece of plastic along the sound hole of many guitars designed to protect the guitar from scratching due to striking the guitar with a pick while strumming.

SOUND HOLE - The usually-round opening in the body of the guitar from which the sound from strumming the strings emits.

SADDLE - The thin piece of plastic or wood between the sound hole and the pegs on the body of the guitar, upon which the strings are held in place.

BRIDGE - The piece of wood, plastic, or metal upon which rests the saddle and the string pegs.

BODY - The hollow shell of the guitar which contains the sound hole, bridge, saddle, and pegs.

PEGS - Small plastic pieces which hold the strings into place at the base of the guitar.

When you think you know all the parts, try to identify all the parts of your guitar without looking at the paper. Have a friend check your answers by looking at the paper.

Print out a few copies of page 02. Practice writing in the parts of the guitar without looking at the answers on page 01. Once you've gotten them down, you are ready to move on to Lesson 02.