Guitar Exam Study Guide

Question 1

Types of Guitar: Classical

Answer 1

Classical guitars are also known as nylon-string acoustic guitars. Three of the strings are clearly nylon, while the other three are nylon wrapped with wire. Classical guitars produce a mellow tone due to the nylon strings.

Question 2

Types of Guitar: Acoustic

Answer 2

all six strings are made of metal. Four of the strings are wound in wire and the last two strings are a single wire. Steel-string acoustic guitars have a brighter tone when compared to classical guitars.

Question 3

Types of Guitar: Electric

Answer 3

Electric guitars are a versatile type of guitar that comes in many different shapes and sizes. While acoustic guitars are all similar in tone, electric guitars offer a wide range of tonal options.

Question 4

Staff

Answer 4

five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written

Question 5

Clef

Answer 5

a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following it

Question 6

Bar Line

Answer 6

a vertical line that divides one bar from another in a written piece of music.

Question 7

Measure

Answer 7

musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats

Question 8

Time Signature (ie. 3/4 & 4/4)

Answer 8

a musical notation indicating the number of beats to a measure and kind of note that takes a beat

Question 9

Whole Note

Answer 9

a musical note having the longest time value

Question 10

Dotted Half Note

Answer 10

A half note, or minim, has the value of two beats. But, when you make it a dotted half note we extend its duration by half its value.

In the case of a half note it would be:

2 + 1 = 3 beats

So a dotted half note is like adding a half note and a quarter note together:

Question 11

Half Note

Answer 11

a musical note having the time value of half a whole note

Question 12

Quarter Note

Answer 12

a musical note having the time value of a quarter of a whole note

Question 13

Pick Up Note

Answer 13

Lyrics (or notes) that come before the first full measure of music. The formal term for this is anacrusis.

Question 14

Tie

Answer 14

A tie is a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch. A tie means to hold the note for the combined rhythmic value of the two notes, as if they were one. Tied notes are placed on two adjacent notes of the same pitch and played as one note.

Question 15

Phrase

Answer 15

a short musical passage

Question 16

Chord

Answer 16

a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously

Question 17

Treble Clef Spaces and Lines

Answer 17

a clef that puts the G above middle C on the second line of a staff

Question 18

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Question 19

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Question 20

Relative Tuning

Answer 20

Relative Guitar Tuning is a technique many guitar players use to quickly tune a string if it goes out of tune. It also is a way for you to “tune” the guitar to be relatively in tune with itself. (Relatively in Tune means you are tuned based off the 6th string, regardless if the 6th string is the correct pitch).

Question 21

How to Change a String

Answer 21

Step 1: Gather The Tools
Step 2: Loosen the Old Strings
Step 3: Remove the String Ends
Step 4: (Optional) Clean the Fretboard
Step 5: (Optional) Oil the Fretboard
Step 6: Insert a New String
Step 7: Wind the New String
Step 8: Clip off The Loose Ends
Step 9: Tune It Up!

Question 22

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Question 23

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Question 24

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Question 25

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Question 26

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Question 27

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Question 28

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Question 29

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Question 30

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Question 31

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Question 32

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Question 33

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Question 34

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Question 35

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Question 36

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Question 37

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Question 38

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Question 39

Types of Guitar: Model: Dreadnought (Acoustic)

Answer 39

This term just refers to the shape/size of a guitar.

A dreadnought shaped guitar is characterized by a large body and a relatively undefined waist. That is to say that the upper and lower bouts of the guitar are quite similar in width when compared with classical guitars and other acoustic guitar shapes.