Beginner guitar glossary
Simple definitions for the guitar words beginners see in lessons, tabs, and song pages.
Taught by Rene Free Beginner firstQuick 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.