Guitar Basics: Learning and Defining Terms & Parts

• September 3, 2016
• Guitar Lessons

There comes a time in every guitarist's life when they’re no longer satisfied saying “that little plastic thingy on the end of the metal thing". Learning Guitar Basics can be fun. If you’ve ever wanted to know the proper names of all the parts that make up God’s favorite instrument, the time is now.

We have a great set of tutorials that will teach you everything you need to know about guitar basics and show you how all of those individual pieces affect tone and playability. That’s the benefit of having professional musicians showing you the ropes. Although the main thrust of these videos is learning guitar basics, the recurring theme is tone and playability.

So whether you’re an absolute beginner or a veteran guitar slinger who's spent the past few years quietly wondering what all those weird little switches on your Jazzmaster really do, from bone nuts, to truss rods, toggle switches to that plastic thingy on the end of the metal thing, we’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted to know about guitar basics in these insightful video tutorials.

Guitar Basics: Electric Guitar 101

Here’s a great jump off point for all things electric. Watch Brandon Bagby and DJ Cox as they start with basic body styles of some of the most popular electric guitars. Delve into bindings and cosmetics, and then jump right into pickups, pick up selectors, and tone knobs. Finishing up with input jacks and strap locks, these guys cover all the pieces that are, collectively, the electric guitar. From esthetics to functionality, this is a 7 minute fountain of wisdom. See video below

 

 

Guitar Basics: Acoustic 101

Let’s talk acoustics: Acoustic guitars (getting started) with Tom Lane and Tony Hooper. This video is a great primer. These two cover everything from concert size to jumbo, inexpensive to high end McPhersons. Settle in and listen as these veteran guitar slingers play twelve string Taylors and classical guitars while describing the merits and differences of a wide array of acoustic guitars.

 

 

If you want to know more (a lot more) about acoustic guitar, here’s a very thorough tutorial from Adam Stark.  Adam starts by covering the different shapes and sizes of acoustic guitars as well as how they affect the overall sound. Beyond the basic, “This is a nut”, Adam explains nut width, string gauges, and how they factor into the sound and playability of an instrument, delivering helpful tips on what to look for in an acoustic guitar and detailed descriptions of the different types of wood that are commonly used and the impact it has on tone. Adam gives you everything you need to know about acoustic guitar, and how to choose one that’s perfect for you.

 

 

Electric Guitar Makes and Models

All guitars are not created equal. For an in depth look at the most popular types of electric guitars, Tony Hooper covers all of the glorious parts of the guitars that made rock n' roll history… Not to mention blues history, jazz, and pretty much every other genre that comes to mind. If you’re into Fender, check out the Strat and Tele videos. More of a Gibson fan? Tony covers the SG 335 and of course, the venerable Gibson Les Paul. Also, check out Tony’s vids on McPherson, Luna and twelve string acoustic guitars if you want an in depth look at some popular acoustic brands. Or, just watch them all and familiarize yourself with a wide array of axes.

• Gibson- Les Paul
• Gibson- ES 335
• Gibson- SG
• Fender- Stratocaster
• Fender- Telecaster
• Gretsch- Tennessee Rose
• McPherson acoustic
• Luna acoustic

If the Gretsch caught your eye, Tom Lane digs a little deeper into how to get the most out of a master volume style guitar. Know Your Guitar is a great video that focuses on pickups and electronics. In this video, Tom starts with the basics and then goes into the details of how to get the most out of a master volume configuration. Learn how Tom blends his pickups to get a wide array of tones and get some serious pro tips as Tom goes over all of the gain structures and how each volume works together to push your favorite drive pedal. If it seems like tone is an obsession to these guys, that’s because it is.

 

 

Also check out this fun little video on the whammy bar. Tom Covers everything from tremolo to dive bombs in style. https://www.prolessons.com/guitar-101/whammy

For more models, check out the awesome section on Prolessons called 'Gear'. Here, you can learn about each pro’s favorite make and model as they show you their favorite guitars. These are the ones they use every day, the instruments that help them define their own personal sound. 

• Telecaster- Grant
• Fender Thinline
• Gibson Les Paul Traditional pro
• Collins Acoustic
• PRS (starla)
• Gibson (hollow body)
• Gibson SG1x - Noah
• Rust guitars Telecaster
• Rust guitars Jazzmaster
• Custom Stratocaster Paul David
• Custom Stratocaster Court
• Telecaster Brent
• Bluesman Vintage Jazzmaster
• ES 135
• Larrivee

While you’re there, you can check out entire live rigs and pedal boards from some of your favorite guitarists. 

If you clicked all of the links above then you’re pretty much a guitar Jedi with wisdom that rivals most seasoned pros. You can walk into your local guitar shop and proudly proclaim things like, "I want a guitar with a whammy bar" or "my cat ate my pickup selector, and I’m here to purchase a new one". Knowledge is power, my friend. If you still want more, then click on this thorough list of seasoned guitar masters cramming decades of wisdom into mere minutes of video. Enjoy!

• Choosing your guitar
• Acoustic vs. electric (Phil)
• Acoustic vs. electric (Brandon)
• Acoustic 101 pt. 2
• Electric (The Basics)
• Acoustic pickups 1
• Acoustic pickups 2
• Strings (electric vs. acoustic)
• Guitar straps
• Hollow Body Guitars

Guys, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the right content. More content is not always the answer.  Learning the right content from the Pro’s is where you need to start. Learn from the Pro’s mistakes and you’ll be a step ahead. Click the link to get started.