Video Question: Slanted Bridges and String Dynamics

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Date: September 15th, 2009 | Length: 1.5167 | Instructor: DJ Phillips

When a string is fretted at half of it's length, the pitch goes up one octave. I've noticed that the bridge on most guitars is set at a slight angle, making the lower pitched strings run a slightly longer distance from the nut to the bridge. That means the 12th fret (which runs parallel to the nut) can't be exactly at the halfway point of each string. Why is the bridge set at an angle - and how can the octaves (or other notes for that matter) be in tune with each other? Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

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