Headstock - The head stock is the part of a guitar at the end of the neck opposite to the body. The headstock is generally used for supporting the tuning pegs used to wind the strings. There are many shapes that headstocks can come in depending on the type of guitar.
Machine Heads - The machine heads or tuning pegs are found at the headstock. The machine heads tighten or loosen strings so they string can be tuned. A basic gear mechanism is used to winds the strings.
Frets - The bars or ridges (usually made of metal) that sit on the fingerboard or neck of a guitar; when the string is depressed by your fingers at the metal bar it will make a note of the desired pitch. Frets are arranged on guitars to produce specific musical pitches. On the typical guitar or bass each fret represents one semitone or half step.
Bridge - The bridge is found down on the body. The function of the bridge, in addition to simply holding the strings in place, is to transmit their vibrations to the top of the guitar, to the instrument's soundboard or pickups. There are many different types of bridge and they can be made from a variety of materials depending upon the type of guitar. For example electric guitars usually have metal bridges and acoustic guitars usually have wooden ones.
In the Medieval period the guitar developed with a round bodied sound hole and a fat neck. It is not known whether this instrument is of French or German origin. Side by side with this creation was a straight sided instrument that was found in the tombs of ancient English churches. It is believed that the basic aspects of design were brought to Europe from the East by Moors who invaded Spain in 711.
It is unsurprising then that Spain was the place that the guitar began its most critical stage of development. The ‘Vihuela’ developed 12 steel frets and people began writing tablature for people to play. Also an instrument related to the guitar the ‘Lute’ was associated with the oppressive regime of the Moors. So playing the guitar and the music related to the guitar become part of the culture of resistance. This in a sense would be a precursor to what guitar music would come to represent in the 20th century.
In the 17th and 18th century the guitar moved in full force into Europe. It is known that king Louis the XIV played and loved the guitar. He along with many members of the European nobility popularized the guitar and internationalized guitar playing and guitar music. The 19th century saw a universal guitar adopted with the same basic tuning system we see today. Also in that century the guitar moved out from Europe to America and the rest of the world.
The 20th century saw the biggest explosion of acceptance and use in the history of the guitar. Mass media made musical expression something anyone could watch and enjoy. Also large dance halls and popular musicians created a need for louder guitars. So the electric guitar began its evolution from the resonators of 1927 to the magnetic pickups that adorn nearly all electric guitars today. The guitar rode a wave of popularity and became to most recognizable and commonly used instrument in music. Also the guitar is an excellent instrument for writing songs
and expressing oneself. The instrument has many faces in modern music. From singer song writers with an acoustic guitar to wild metal guitarists, blasting out on their electric guitars.
Guitars and the people who have played them have spanned thousands of years and many different cultures. It is an excellent rewarding instrument to play and learn with many subtle styles and characteristics.
