fingerboard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Musical
Quick answer
What does “fingerboard” mean?
The part of a stringed instrument (like a violin, guitar, or cello) against which the strings are pressed by the fingers to change the pitch of the notes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The part of a stringed instrument (like a violin, guitar, or cello) against which the strings are pressed by the fingers to change the pitch of the notes.
The flat, usually fretted, surface on the neck of a stringed instrument. The term can also refer to a similar component on other instruments, or metaphorically to a surface designed for finger touch, like on early mobile devices or specific types of keyboards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both varieties use 'fingerboard' for musical instruments. The concept of a 'fingerboard' on early mobile devices or touch interfaces is equally understood.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard within musical contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “fingerboard” in a Sentence
the fingerboard of [instrument]a fingerboard made of [material]to press on the fingerboardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fingerboard” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The luthier will carefully fingerboard the new violin neck.
- He learned to fingerboard the cello with great precision.
American English
- The technician needs to fingerboard the bass guitar before setting it up.
- She expertly fingerboarded the vintage mandolin during the restoration.
adverb
British English
- He played fingerboard-ly, with meticulous attention to intonation. (Highly uncommon/constructed)
American English
- She moved fingerboard-wise along the neck. (Highly uncommon/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The fingerboard tape helped him learn the positions.
- It was a complex fingerboard exercise.
American English
- The fingerboard radius affects playability.
- They discussed fingerboard maintenance techniques.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in the context of manufacturing or retail for musical instruments.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and instrument design papers.
Everyday
Uncommon unless discussing music or playing an instrument.
Technical
Standard term in luthiery (the craft of string instrument building/repair), music pedagogy, and instrument specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fingerboard”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fingerboard”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fingerboard”
- Confusing 'fingerboard' with the entire 'neck' (the fingerboard is the front surface of the neck).
- Using 'fingerboard' for the keyboard of a piano (incorrect; that's a 'keyboard').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Fingerboard' is the general term for the playing surface on the neck. 'Fretboard' specifically refers to a fingerboard that has frets (metal strips), as found on most guitars and banjos. A violin has a fingerboard but no frets, so it is not a fretboard.
Common tonewoods include ebony, rosewood, and maple. Ebony is prized for its hardness and smoothness on violins and high-end guitars. The choice of wood can affect the instrument's sound and feel.
Yes, but it is a highly specialized technical verb used in luthiery, meaning to fit or provide with a fingerboard. It is very rare in everyday language.
It is a closed compound noun: 'fingerboard'. The older form 'finger-board' with a hyphen is now considered archaic.
The part of a stringed instrument (like a violin, guitar, or cello) against which the strings are pressed by the fingers to change the pitch of the notes.
Fingerboard is usually technical / musical in register.
Fingerboard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡəbɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡərbɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly feature 'fingerboard'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your FINGERS pressing on a BOARD to make music. The board your fingers use = FINGERBOARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
The fingerboard is often metaphorically described as a 'road' or 'path' that the fingers travel along to reach different notes.
Practice
Quiz
On which of the following would you most likely find a fingerboard?