While learning to play electric guitar, it is essential for you to learn about the basics of electric guitar. In addition, you need to have sound knowledge about the basic guitar parts functions and techniques. Sometimes just knowing about them can greatly increase your perspective and focus on your guitar studies.

It is good to listen to songs and try to spot the techniques used on them for soloing. This way in the future you will get the sound you want on the guitar by knowing which technique is better for its execution.

Below you’ll find a great basic rundown of the parts of a guitar and the common used techniques used in electric guitar playing.

If yu want to learn how to play electric guitar, you should also get to know your instrument.  Learning the different parts of a guitar is specially useful if you plan to self-teach you this art.

Headstock

It is a flat extension atop the neck of guitar. The function of headstock is to locate the tuning mechanism for your electric guitar.

Tuners

A majority of electric guitars consist of sealed tuners also referred to as 'machine heads.'

Nut

Situated between the headstock and neck area, a nut is comes in black, white or cream colored plastic. However, some electric guitars come with nuts of bone, metal or ivory shades.

Neck

The neck may be of two types, namely the 'set-neck' and 'bolt-on neck.' Unlike set-neck, the bolt-on neck is replaceable and easier to maintain. An electric guitar has a relatively longer neck than an acoustic guitar, as it does not require a large sound box.

Truss Rod

It is essential for stabilizing the neck of an electric guitar. You can adjust it using an adjusting tool from the headstock end. Don't mess with this part unless you know how to "calibrate" a guitar.

Fretboard

Fretboard or fingerboard represents the playing surface of a guitar. Fretboards are traditionally made from rosewood or maple, but the fretboards of electric guitars may have the same lacquer as the neck.

Frets

Frets are strings located horizontally on the fretboard and placed at appropriate distances to produce tones or notes. An electric guitar may sport 21, 22 or 24 frets.

Body

Ensure that the body of your electric guitar consists of dense material for proper resonance. The bodies of electric guitars are usually made from ash, alder, mahogany or maple.The material of the body will have a direct influence on the sound of your guitar.

Bridge

It is of two types, namely one-piece and two-piece.

Pickups

Based on your choice, you can choose from humbucker or single-coil pickups. In addition, for powerful sound, opt for humbucker pickup.

Controls Knobs

They help to adjust the guitar volume.

Hammer-on – To perform a hammer-on you pluck in one fret and then you hammer on another finger a higher fret on the same string. You need to this with a firm hammering of the finger or else you’ll dampen the note.

Pull-off – It is the contrary of a hammer on. Again, there are 2 notes involved, both fingers will be again situated in the same string and you need to have the two in place to start. Pluck the note and then pull-off your finger in the higher fret to let sound the lower note. When you pull off, pull the finger down and out, so you sort of mini-pluck the string with your left hand.

Bending – Pluck a note in one fret, and then while continue pressing the note with your left hand, move it upwards or downwards, bending the string. This will elevate the pitch of the note in a smooth way. This technique is widely used in blues and rock.

Vibrato – Vibrato is like up and down mini-bends, so you acquire the effect of a vibrating note. It adds richness to the sound. There is also a vibrato used by BB King, in which you for the note and then move the finger quickly from side to side. It produces a slightly different effect.

Slide – The slide is simply when you move to on fret to another without lifting your finger, you are literally sliding from one note to another. When we talk about slide we also can refer to a more bigger technique in which you use a glass or metal “slide” to play notes with smooth changes. This is known as slide guitar. A good example of this technique is found in the song “Scar Tissue” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Practice all these techniques on the easiest songs for electric guitar.

Check out this deluxe lesson by Marty Friedman on playing bends and vibrato on an electric guitar. Marty is one of the best modern guitarists and he has an amazing technique. This is what you should be aiming for! By the way, if you search on Youtube, you'll find more videos by Marty where he helps you to learn to play the electric guitar online.