A Very Brief History Of The Guitar
The guitar that we know today has been a work in progress for a very long time.
The origin of the guitar dates back to ancient Babylon,
which is now modern day Iraq. Clay plaques from around 2000 B.C were discovered with illustrations of figures playing what look to be early versions of the guitar. The guitar's story abruptly falls silent for nearly 2000 years until a tomb, dug up in Rome contained a guitar-like instrument. It was constructed of wood and had the same structure as modern-day guitars.
In the Middle Ages the guitar's shape underwent changes to include the modern day hole in its body and the fatter neck. Today there is a debate as to whether this shape originated in Germany or France.
It was in Spain that the guitar's design really began the progression to what we know today. The ‘Vihuela' developed 12 steel frets and people began writing tablature for people to play.
The guitar moved into Europe in the 17th & 18th centuries. A lot of the European aristocracy had made the guitar very popular producing an international stage for the development of guitar playing. It was sometime during the 19th century that the guitar we see today, really developed its shape and tuning features. Also at this time, the guitar began its mass exodus away from Europe and to the rest of the world.
The 20th century was when the guitar found its niche and came into its own. Guitars and the guitar wizards that have mastered them have been around for thousands of years, across a sea of vast and diverse cultures. It is an amazingly complex instrument to to be able to master, yet accessible enough for a beginner to pick up and learn quite quickly. I for one am thankful for its usage throughout human history.
The origin of the guitar dates back to ancient Babylon,
which is now modern day Iraq. Clay plaques from around 2000 B.C were discovered with illustrations of figures playing what look to be early versions of the guitar. The guitar's story abruptly falls silent for nearly 2000 years until a tomb, dug up in Rome contained a guitar-like instrument. It was constructed of wood and had the same structure as modern-day guitars.In the Middle Ages the guitar's shape underwent changes to include the modern day hole in its body and the fatter neck. Today there is a debate as to whether this shape originated in Germany or France.
It was in Spain that the guitar's design really began the progression to what we know today. The ‘Vihuela' developed 12 steel frets and people began writing tablature for people to play.
The guitar moved into Europe in the 17th & 18th centuries. A lot of the European aristocracy had made the guitar very popular producing an international stage for the development of guitar playing. It was sometime during the 19th century that the guitar we see today, really developed its shape and tuning features. Also at this time, the guitar began its mass exodus away from Europe and to the rest of the world.
The 20th century was when the guitar found its niche and came into its own. Guitars and the guitar wizards that have mastered them have been around for thousands of years, across a sea of vast and diverse cultures. It is an amazingly complex instrument to to be able to master, yet accessible enough for a beginner to pick up and learn quite quickly. I for one am thankful for its usage throughout human history.
