“Making a Mark On the World: How the Guitar Changed Music Forever.”
Guitars have been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 20th century when this beloved instrument truly began to make waves on the global music scene. From unique adaptations of electric and acoustic models, to newer and more unusual styles that incorporate different strings, the guitar has become synonymous with a variety of musical genres – from post-rock to classical, jazz to rock and roll. As the instrument evolves and modernizes, we will continue to be amazed by the music created by guitarists across the world.
It is exciting to think that skilled musicians crafted some of the greatest works of our time with just six strings. But its impact on music is even greater than those in the industry know. As a base instrument of the modern music era, the guitar has changed the way people view, create, and experience music.
At first glance, it may seem like the guitar simply showed up on the scene and took over. But its history indicates quite the opposite. It has spent centuries as an essential element of musical genres all over the world, continually evolving and being adapted to fit the changing sounds of the industry. Now, thanks to these innovations, the guitar takes on multiple roles in music and is often the heart and soul of a song.
In this blog post, we will explore the evolution of the guitar throughout history, from its early ancestors to modern adaptions. We will also discuss how it paved the way for the advancement of numerous music genres and what makes it so beloved by musicians and fans alike.
The Evolution Of The Guitar
The history of the guitar can be traced back to centuries ago and it is believed that it was first used in Greece in the 5th century B.C.E. During the sixteenth century, the lute, a small like-instrument, became increasingly popular, which was fashioned to look very similar to the modern guitar. As centuries passed and the instrument evolved, in 1600, the Spanish created the vihuela, a guitar-like instrument with five strings made from gut and tuned in a major or minor third.
Nearly two hundred years later, a new guitar appeared on the scene known as the four-string guitar, or “guitarra de quatro ordenes.” By the 1930s, electric guitars started to become available, rising in popularity due to their capability to reach larger audiences. This paved the way for the electric guitar sponsored by Leo Fender in 1951 and the introduction of the iconic Gibson Les Paul electric guitar in 1954.
In the 1970s, the guitar was heavily featured in rock music, giving new life to electric models with their long sustain and overdriven distortion. As punk and indie music grew in popularity during the 1980s, there was also an increased demand for other models. Notably during this period, guitars fitted with an electric transducer started to emerge, allowing sound to be amplified and recorded more easily.
As time progressed, these electric guitars started to become more sophisticated and popular. They soon adopted the single-coil and humbucker pickups, granting the guitar its renowned versatility. This was during a time when different genres of music started to unfold and music became significantly more diverse.
How the Guitar Evolved Different Genres of Music
Since its emergence, the guitar has had a large influence on countless music genres throughout the world, from blues and folk, to classical and rock. It has allowed musicians to be incredibly diverse in their instrument of choice and to create a variety of sounds suited for the genre.
In the 1950s and 60s, guitar rock was incredibly popular thanks to the electric guitar and iconic musicians such as Les Paul, Chuck Berry and Jimmy Page. Whilst their sound would often feature bubblegum-poppy solos or classic hard rock riffs, the foundation of their music was rooted in basic chords which were accessible by other guitarists. Indeed, the one thing that tied this era together was the sheer emotion and power of the guitar.
In the realms of jazz music, the guitar has been incorporated in multiple styles and bands. During the bebop era in the 1940s and 1950s, jazz guitarists had the unique opportunity to stretch their talent with innovations such as amplified sound and the “slapping” technique. Of notable mention was the iconic Wes Montgomery, whose aerial playing was a sight to behold. In the 60s and 70s, a new wave of jazz guitarists brought with them new styles and methods to the instrument, from free-handed plucking and expansive chords, to improvisational solos.
Country music has a long and extensive history with the guitar, with its most renowned figure being the prolific Chet Atkins. During his career, Atkins took risks with the instrument and incorporated elements of classical music into traditional country, which was heralded by fans everywhere. He also popularized the “fingerpicking” style of guitar playing, which had previously been exclusive to folk musicians.
The guitar even ventured off into punk rock, metal and post-rock music, with pioneers such as Tom Morello and Eddie Van Halen, who opened the door to a plethora of sounds and techniques. As metal music was popularized during the 1980s, new forms of metal were created, including progressive and classic metal, to which the guitar became an integral asset.
The guitar has branched out across multiple genres, none more versatile than its role in post-rock. This genre sprung from talking music, a form of minimalistic rock with emphasis on atmosphere and melody. Much of its success can be attributed to the incorporation of the guitar, with its continual experimentation and focus on soundbending and extended techniques.
Why the Guitar is So Loved
The guitar is widely cherished all over the world by both musicians and listeners alike which is why it continues to be an integral part of the music industry. It all comes down to the unique relationship between the guitar and the musician. As soon as a musician begins to learn the instrument, they start to understand how they can make it sing, expressing their emotions and feelings through sound.
The joy of playing the guitar is just as infectious to listeners as it is to the musician. Listening to a great guitar solo or performance is enough to make any person’s heart flutter and evoke an unmatchable feeling. No other instrument has the ability to capture the audience and whisk them away to places unimaginable.
The guitar has the power to speak to people on a psychological level, creating art that is beautiful and meaningful. Its beauty lies in how one can draw from the old and blend it with the new, creating a blend of genres, styles, and techniques.
The guitar will always remain an essential part of the modern music era, having shaped and adapted itself to every era and every genre. Not only is it a beloved instrument, but it has changed the way society views and experiences music forever. With its timelessness and versatility, the guitar has made a mark on the world no other instrument possibly can.