Guitar Dictionary | A-Z
- I
The symbol that represents the index finger on the picking hand. Part of the pima labelling system.
Full Article on: pima labelling
- Impedance
A measurement of the opposition to an alternating current (AC). Not to be confused with resistance. Measured in ohms.
- Improvisation
Making things up on the spot. A popular method of creating music amongst jazz and blues guitarists and a recommended method of exercising your creativity.
- Indice
The Spanish term for the index finger on the picking hand. It is part of the pima labelling system, abbreviated by the symbol 'i'.
Synonymous With: I
See Also: Pulgar, Medio, Anular, Chico
Full Article on: pima labelling
- Inlays
Pictorial designs that are usually found on the fretboard and used as fret markers. Inlays can be made of materials like abalone that are embedded in the surface of the wood.
- Input
The direction toward the source of power and away from source of the current (towards the amplifier and away from the guitar). Any socket labelled 'input' should be connected via a cable to a socket labelled 'output'.
- Inside Picking
Where alternate picking is used on two strings, the lower of the two being picked with upstrokes and the higher being picked with downstrokes.
Full Article on: exercises - alternate picking
- Interval
The difference in pitch between two notes.
See Also: Melodic Interval, Harmonic Interval
Full Article on: intervals
- Intonation
The ability of a guitar to be in tune with itself. The 12th fret and the harmonic at the 12th fret should yield the same note. If the guitar is not in tune with itself then the intonation is said to be out.
See Also: Compensation
- Inversions
Variations of chords that contain the same notes but in different orders regarding to pitch. For example a three-note chord has a root position and two inversions.
- Invert
To invert a chord is to take the bass note and raise it an octave.