Guitar & Music Theory Glossary
Every term below gets a plain-English definition, a guitar-specific example, and links to the full guide where one exists. No conservatory jargon — just what the word means and why you'd care.
Notes & the fretboard
- Fret
- Open string
- Natural note
- Accidental (sharps & flats)
- Enharmonic equivalent
- Octave
- Root note
- Standard tuning
- Fretboard position
Intervals
For half steps and whole steps, see the full guide: Half Steps and Whole Steps Explained.
Scales & keys
- Scale
- Major scale
- Natural minor scale
- Pentatonic scale
- Chromatic scale
- Key
- Tonic
- Dominant
- Subdominant
- Leading tone
- Diatonic
- Parallel keys
For scale degrees, modes, and key signatures, see the full guides: What Are Scale Degrees?, Guitar Modes Explained, Key Signatures Explained.
Chords & harmony
- Chord
- Triad
- Major triad
- Minor triad
- Inversion
- Voicing
- Voice leading
- Arpeggio
- Seventh chord
- Dominant seventh chord
- Chord extension
- Cadence
- Borrowed chord
- Secondary dominant
- Barre chord
- Open chord
For the CAGED system, the circle of fifths, and chord symbols, see the full guides: What Is the CAGED System?, The Circle of Fifths for Guitarists, Guitar Chord Symbols Explained.