The guitar is a musical instrument classified as a fretted string instrument with anywhere from four

to 18 strings, usually having six.[citation needed] The sound is projected either acoustically, using a hollow
wooden or plastic and wood box (for an acoustic guitar), or through electrical amplifier and a
speaker (for an electric guitar). It is typically played by strumming or plucking the strings with the
fingers, thumb or fingernails of the right hand or with a pick while fretting (or pressing against
the frets) the strings with the fingers of the left hand. The guitar is a type of chordophone,
traditionally constructed from wood and strung with either gut, nylon or steel strings and
distinguished from other chordophones by its construction and tuning. The modern guitar was
preceded by the gittern, the vihuela, the four-course Renaissance guitar, and the five-
course baroque guitar, all of which contributed to the development of the modern six-string
instrument.