History of the Guitar

Countless people have been inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing or seeing their favorite players perform on the radio or TV. Having played a major role in the development of rock and roll, country, blues and pop music, the guitar can be found in many of the world's most popular musical styles. With its ease of travel and affordable price, the guitar can be learned by almost anybody who can devote a few minutes per day to the instrument.

History

The earliest guitar-type instruments were known to have been used in India and Central Asia almost 5,000 years ago. The guitar as we know it today, commonly referred to as the classical guitar, was influenced by these early instruments and was developed in Spain during the 18th century. The classical guitar was later developed into the acoustic, or flat-top guitar, in the early 20th century. The electric guitar was developed in America during the 1930s.

Types

There are several main types of guitars: the acoustic guitar, the classical guitar (also known as the nylon-stringed guitar) and the electric guitar. The electric guitar also has several sub-categories including the archtop guitar (popular in jazz music), the solid body (popular in rock music) and the semi-hollow bodied guitar, which is a combination of both models.

Geography

The earliest guitar-based instruments were used in the Middle East and India. The classical guitar was developed by makers in Italy and Spain before becoming popular in North and South America. The acoustic and electric guitars were invented in America before being exported to almost every country in the world.

Features

Each guitar can be divided into three sections: the body, the neck and the head. The body is what produces the sound, either through a sound hole or electronic pick-up. The neck contains the frets, which produce the different tones when the strings are played. The head contains the tuning pegs that help hold the strings in place and can be adjusted to the desired tuning.

Benefits

The guitar allows musicians to play both chords and single notes in a similar fashion to the piano while being much more affordable and movable than most keyboard instruments.

Fun Fact

Rock guitarist Pete Townsend's famous guitar-smashing spectacle at the end of each concert began after an accident in a club. His band The Who was playing in a small club when Townsend accidentally broke the head of his guitar when it hit the club's roof. The crowd loved the destruction of the instrument, and it became a regular part of The Who's concerts from then on.

Expert Insight

Learning to play the guitar can be both fun and easy with the right instruction. When first learning to play the instrument, studying with a private teacher will greatly aid your ability to learn it.

Resources

• Resource for Acoustic and Electric Guitarists