fret
A small ridge or bar, usually of metal, set across the fingerboard of a stringed instrument to mark specific pitches.
As a noun, it is the physical metal bar; as a verb, it means to press a string down behind a specific fret to change the vibrating length and pitch.
Word relationships
- ridge: A ridge is any raised strip, while a fret is specifically a musical ridge designed to stop a string at a precise mathematical pitch.
Commonly confused with
- bridge: The bridge is the wooden piece on the body of the instrument that supports all the strings, while frets are the many metal bars along the neck.
Word family
- fretted (adjective): Having frets on the fingerboard.
- fretless (adjective): Lacking frets, requiring the player to find pitches by ear (like a violin).
Collocations
- guitar fret
- press a fret
- fret a note
Example sentences
- "Place your index finger right behind the third fret." Instruction for guitar learners.
Memory hook
Think of a guitar neck as a ladder, and each fret is a rung. You step on the rungs (frets) to climb to higher pitches. Press the fret to set the pitch.
When not to use
Do not use fret when referring to instruments without fingerboards (like pianos) or instruments with smooth, fretless fingerboards (like violins or cellos).
Fun facts
- Lutes and early guitars used animal gut tied around the neck as movable frets, allowing players to adjust the instrument's temperament for different keys.
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