Fingerboard facts for kids
The fingerboard is an important part of many stringed instruments, like the guitar and the violin. It's a long, thin piece of wood that sticks out from the instrument's body. The strings are stretched over the fingerboard, held up slightly by a bridge. When you play, you press the strings against the fingerboard to make different notes. Some fingerboards have small metal strips called frets. These are called fretboards.
Beginners often use Stickers on the fingerboard to help them learn chords. These stickers can show you where to place your fingers for notes, chords, or scales. They are labeled A-G and are very helpful for learning and teaching music.
Contents
What are Frets?
A fingerboard can have frets. Frets are thin, raised strips of hard material, usually metal, that go across the fingerboard. When you press a string against a fret, it helps you play notes in the right place. This makes sure the notes sound correct. Frets also help the strings vibrate more freely than if you just pressed them with your fingers.
Some instruments, like guitars, have fixed frets that don't move. Other instruments, like the lute, can have movable frets.
Unfretted Fingerboards
Not all instruments have frets. Bowed instruments like the violin usually have unfretted fingerboards. On these instruments, players can change the pitch of a note very smoothly. This gives them more control over the sound. However, unfretted fingerboards are generally harder to learn to play well.
Fingerboard Markers
On guitars and bass guitars, you'll often see small dots or shapes on the fingerboard. These are called position markers. They help you find your way around the fingerboard. They are usually found at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th frets. The 12th and 24th frets often have a double dot or a different marker. These markers are sometimes put on the side of the fingerboard too, so you can see them easily while playing. Some markers can even glow in the dark or light up with LEDs for playing on stage!
Caring for Frets
Over time, playing an instrument can wear down the frets. This can make the strings buzz or sound dull. When this happens, frets might need "dressing." This means a special repair person, called a luthier, will smooth and shape the frets. Sometimes, if they are very worn, the frets might need to be replaced. Frets made of stainless steel are very strong and might not need dressing as often. It's important for frets to be perfectly straight and even. If they're not, your instrument might sound out of tune.
Materials Used
The fingerboard is usually made from strong wood. For bowed instruments like the violin, viola, cello, and double bass, the fingerboard is often made of ebony or rosewood. These are very hard woods.
On some guitars, the neck and fingerboard are made from one piece of maple wood. Some modern instrument makers also use new materials like carbon-fiber for fingerboards because they are light and strong.
Images for kids
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Fretted guitar fingerboard
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Fretless violin fingerboard
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Scalloped fingerboard of Yngwie Malmsteen's Stratocaster
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6”
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7 ¼”
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9 ½”
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10”
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11 ½”
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12”
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16”
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20”
See also
In Spanish: Diapasón (instrumento de cuerda) para niños
