History of Guitars: Interesting Facts
Slash’s “Sweet Child of Mine”, Brian May of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and Carlos Augusto Santana Alves’ “Maria Maria” If you are not familiar with these, then you are at a loss. Some of the best guitar performers made these songs well-known and allowed people to enjoy their music better through dancing and singing. But do you actually know the history of these musical instruments?
Before people have high regard for guitars, it used to suffer underestimation because it did not satisfy the taste of most musicians when it comes to classical music. That’s the reason why Fernando Sor, in the early 19th century, did all that he can to bring guitars to a higher level of appreciation, and he became successful with this battle.
Now, guitars have gained popularity as a choice of musical instrument. Basically, it’s a six-stringed instrument, but you can also find those with four, seven, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen strings.
Did you know that the earliest iconographic representation that seems to embody the essential features of a guitar is an old stone carving of a Hittite bard? It was said that guitars originated from Indo-Europeans who lived 4000 years ago, and that in the medieval times, Europe popularized the use of this musical instrument. Though Europeans have the credit for guitar’s development, it still cannot be disowned that Central Asia and India have used this instrument as a part of their native culture.
Spaniards have the most influence in making the modern guitars. In reality, Romans were the first to bring in a stringed instrument called cithara in the year 40 AD. After these, Moors and Scandinavians carried with them their ouds and luts respectively. In the year 1200 AD, the four-stringed instrument oud had two types, namely Morrish guitar and Latin guitar. Latin guitars became the basis for making the modern guitar that is famous nowadays.
The lower and middle classes of society used these guitars for leisure. Then, Spain had come up with vihuela or viola de mano which became popular among Aristocrats in the 16th century.
Guitars have three major types namely: electric guitars, classical guitars, and acoustic guitars. Yet, so many guitar variations have come out up to this date. Electric guitars have greatly contributed to pop music’s development in the US, since it amplifies and adds effects to improve the music. Acoustic guitars on the other hand, have created soft music with its pure tones. Lastly, classical guitars relive the moments of baroque and romantic periods.
In addition, the industry now has a variety of guitar brands, including Yamaha, Taylor, and Jackson, to name a few.
