Guitar glossary
Thirty essential terms explained simply, to help you understand both theory and practice on guitar.
Theory
- TonicThe fundamental note of a key — the resting point of the scale.
- DominantFifth degree of a scale — creates the tension that resolves to the tonic.
- SubdominantFourth degree of a scale — gently leads away from the tonic.
- Major scaleA seven-note scale with a bright sound, the foundation of Western music.
- Minor scaleScale with a darker sound, the basis of minor-key rock and folk.
- ModeA scale obtained by starting on a different degree of a major scale.
- IntervalDistance between two notes, measured in tones and semitones.
- ThirdThe interval that decides whether a chord is major or minor.
- FifthInterval of 7 semitones — structures every basic chord.
- SeventhAdded note that colours a chord and calls for resolution.
- TensionMusical instability created by a chord that calls for resolution.
- ResolutionThe return from tension to a stable note or chord.
Practice
- Open chordChord played in the first frets with one or more open strings.
- Barre chordChord in which the index finger covers several strings on the same fret.
- CapoClamp that bars all strings at one fret to transpose a song.
- VoicingParticular way of arranging the notes of a chord.
- Chord inversionChord whose lowest note is not its root.
- FingeringAssignment of left-hand fingers to strings and frets.
- FretMetal strip that divides the neck into semitone-wide spaces.
- PickSmall plectrum held between fingers to strike the strings.
Notation
Technique
- ArpeggioChord played note by note rather than all strings at once.
- Palm muteDamping the strings with the palm near the bridge.
- BendPushing the string sideways to raise its pitch.
- SlideSliding a finger along a string between two frets.
- Hammer-onMaking a note sound by hammering the string with a finger.
- Pull-offOpposite of hammer-on — pulling a finger off to sound a lower note.