Various types of guitars have existed for over 1,000 years! The modern guitar is a stringed instrument that is plucked with the fingers, or with a small pick made of plastic. Because a guitar pick is much stiffer than fingers are, the sound it produces is usually brighter and more percussive. When played with the fingertips, the strings can produce a gentler, more mellow sound.

Guitars commonly have six, or possibly twelve strings, made out of steel, nylon, or animal gut. The body of the guitar is made of wood. Because it is hollow, it acts as a sound resonator that increases the loudness of the sound produced.

The acoustic (non-electric) guitar is used in classical, folk, and country styles of music.