fingerboard

stringed musical instrument part

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The fingerboard is a crucial part of many stringed musical instruments. It is the surface against which the player presses the strings with their fingers to change the pitch of the notes produced. This part is also sometimes called a fretboard, especially if it has frets, which are raised markers that help with precise finger placement. The fingerboard's design and material significantly influence the instrument's overall sound and playability. For example, the violin family, a cornerstone of orchestral music, features an unfretted fingerboard, allowing for a more expressive and flexible tone quality.123

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stringed instrument
Morphology
…this is glued the curved fingerboard, which projects beyond the shoulder and over the belly toward the bridge. At the top of the neck is the nut, which is grooved to take the strings, keeping them correctly spaced apart and slightly raised over the fingerboard. The neck is raked back…
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…this is glued the curved fingerboard, which projects beyond the shoulder and over the belly toward the bridge. At the top of the neck is the nut, which is grooved to take the strings, keeping them correctly spaced apart and slightly raised over the fingerboard. The neck is raked back…
Read More