Beginner guitar glossary
Simple definitions for the guitar words beginners see in lessons, tabs, and song pages.
Quick answer
A beginner guitar glossary helps new players understand lesson words before they become confusing. Learn fret, chord, tab, strum, tuning, riff, beat, BPM, and capo in plain language.
- Beginner-first
- Plain-language guidance
- Links to interactive practice tools
Definitions should help practice
A guitar term is only useful if it tells your hands or ears what to do next.
Fret
A fret is the metal-line area where you press a string to change the note.
Chord
A chord is several notes played together.
Tab
Tab is a guitar map using string lines and fret numbers.
Strum
A strum is one sweep across several strings.
Riff
A riff is a short recognizable guitar idea, often single notes.
BPM
BPM means beats per minute. It tells you the speed of the music.
Step by step
1. Read the word
Find the term that appears in the lesson.
2. Connect it to action
Ask what your hand or ear should do with that word.
3. Return to music
Use the definition inside a song, riff, or exercise.
Come back when a lesson uses a new word
The course explains terms as they appear, but this page gives crawlers and learners one central reference.
Useful next pages
Common questions
What guitar words should a beginner know first?
Start with string, fret, chord, tune, strum, tab, beat, and riff.
Do I need music theory vocabulary to start guitar?
No. Learn only the words that help you play the next small thing.