Here’s an easier answer for beginners: “They tell you which fret you’re playing when you look down at your neck.”ĭid you ever notice that the inlays are mainly on the odd numbered frets? Guitar fret inlays are the markers along the neck of the guitar, usually circular dots, that serve as a visual aid so you can guide your hand to the notes you intend on playing.
Put your thinking cap on because we’re going to start with a little music theory in our grand discussion on… What are Guitar Inlays? Using them might take a little practice but what else are you doing, you guitar freak! What materials are inlays made out of? How do I use them? Let’s check out the history of classical guitar fretboard inlays from the past right on up to the present day custom inlays and stickers.īy the time we’re done, you’ll have a handle on all of the types available and how they work.
What’s the deal with all these markers on my fretboard, anyhow? Why do they look like they do? Why are they spaced out as they are? What purpose do they serve? Sometimes we have to follow the diamonds, vampire bats, roses and thorns, and even the solar system planets. There may be some truth to that “dot” statement, but we can’t always follow the dots these days. “Playing guitar is easy, just follow the dots!” Playing the guitar is that easy, huh? I guess that explains why my grandma shreds like Steve Vai, right? I guess that’s why nobody rage quits daily…
