Guitar Dictionary | A-Z
- Tab
Short for tablature.
Full Article on: reading internet tabs
- Tablature
A system of written music for stringed instruments. Found under the musical stave. It consists of six horizontal lines that represent the strings of a guitar. Numbers are written on the lines to indicate which fret to hold.
Full Article on: reading internet tabs
- Tacet
The finishing point of a specified instrument in a song/musical piece.
- Tail Block
Another term for end block.
- Tap
A hammer-on that is done without plucking the string. Can be done with the picking hand or the fretting hand (normally the picking hand).
Full Article on: hammer-ons
- Tapped Harmonic
Sounded by holding a fret, without plucking, then tapping a specified fret (specified above/below the tab lines) with the picking hand.
Full Article on: tapped harmonics
- Tapping
Hammer-ons that are done without plucking the strings. Can be done with the picking hand or the fretting hand (normally the picking hand).
- Tempo
The duration of time between each beat. Determines the speed of music.
- Tetrachords
A combination of four notes separated by one halfstep and two whole steps. Tetrachords are not actually played as chords. Various tetrachords can be put together to assemble scales.
- Thru-Neck
Short for neck through body, a style of neck that extends right to the end of the body of the guitar. This design of neck is used to mount the pickups and bridge and does not have a heel, making it easier to reach the higher frets. This design is found on basses more than guitars and more often on the more expensive ranges.
Synonymous With: Neck-Through, Neck Through Body
- Tie
A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch in music notation. The line indicates the duration of the note should be extended by the length of the tied note.
- Time Signature
A fraction that dictates how many beats are in each bar (top number) and the note duration of each beat (denominator). For example, 4/4 means there are four quarter notes in each bar. The time signature is found on the stave at the beginning of a piece of music, after the clef and key signature.
Full Article on: time signatures
- Timing
The ability to synchronise rhythm with other instruments.
- Toggle Switch
Another term for pickup selector switch.
- Tone
- A distance in pitch equal to two semitones (2 frets).
- The level of equalisation set by a tone control on a guitar or amplifier.
Full Article on: intervals
- Tone Control
A knob on the body of a guitar that sets the level of equalisation for a pickup or combination of pickups. Usually each pickup will have its own tone control.
- Top
Another term for soundboard.
- Top Plate
Another term for soundboard.
- Touched Harmonic
A technique where you touch the string lightly over a specified fret bar after a note has been sounded. Sometimes called an artificial harmonic.
Full Article on: touched harmonics
- Travis Picking
A style where quarter notes are plucked with a plectrum and fingers pluck the other strings. Used in country music.
- Treble Clef
A symbol that wraps around the second lowest line of a musical stave. The symbol is also known as the G clef as it dictates the note that the line represents.
- Tremolo
A wavering effect of a note, hence tremolo bar. Can also be achieved with guitar effects.
- Tremolo Arm
The removable metal bar that can be attached to the bridge. The bar is depressed to cause a drop in pitch and raised to cause a jump up in pitch. Also can be used for vibrato.
Synonymous With: Tremolo Bar, Whammy Bar, Vibrato Bar
Full Article on: whammy bar techniques
- Tremolo Bar
The removable metal bar that can be attached to the bridge. The bar is depressed to cause a drop in pitch and raised to cause a jump up in pitch. Also can be used for vibrato.
Synonymous With: Whammy Bar, Tremolo Arm, Vibrato Bar
Full Article on: whammy bar techniques
- Tremolo Picking
A technique where a note is picked as rapidly as possible for a set duration of time. A tremolo picked note is notated as normal but with three diagonal lines below the number on the tab.
Full Article on: tremolo picking
- Tremolo System
Another term for vibrato system.
- Triad
A chord consisting of three notes. When used in conjunction with a scale it refers to the first, third an fifth notes of the scale. For example the C major triad consists of C, E and G.
Full Article on: constructing and naming chords
- Trill
A rapid slur between two notes.
Full Article on: trills
- Truss Rod
Thin steel rod that runs down the centre of the guitar neck. The truss rod serves to oppose the stress put on the neck from the string tension.
- Truss Rod Cover
Thin plate that covers the entrance to the truss rod. Usually located just above the nut.
- Tube
Short for electron vacuum tube.
- Tube Amp
Another term for valve amp.
- Tune
To correctly adjust the pitch of an open string.
Full Article on: tuning your guitar
- Tuner Pegs
Another term for string posts.
- Tuners
Another term for machinehead.
- Two-Hand Tapping
Using both hands to hammer-on/tap the frets.
See Also: Left Hand Tapping, Right Hand Tapping