What are Frets?

Frets are raised metal strips embedded along the fingerboard of many stringed instruments, such as guitars, bass guitars, and some other fretted instruments. They divide the neck into specific positions that correspond to different musical notes.

When a musician presses a string down just behind a fret, the vibrating length of the string becomes shorter, which raises the pitch of the note being played. Each fret represents a small step in pitch, allowing players to perform melodies, chords, and scales accurately along the instrument’s neck.

Frets are arranged according to a standardized tuning system called equal temperament, which divides the octave into twelve equal parts. This design ensures that notes remain consistent and in tune across the entire instrument.

Frets make it easier for musicians to play precise notes compared to fretless instruments, where the exact finger placement must be carefully controlled. Instruments with frets are commonly used in many genres of music, including rock, blues, jazz, folk, and pop.