An Epic Journey Through Guitar History
Do you know the history of the guitar and how it has evolved from a humble piece of wood to the amazing instrument that it is today? From the earliest lutes of the Middle Ages to the modern electric guitars of today, it’s a story that is full of passion and music. Here is an epic journey through guitar history that will take you through the different eras and how the guitar has evolved. Get ready for an adventure!
The Lute and its Legacy
Guitar history starts way back in the Middle Ages with the lute, an instrument with a long neck and a large, round body. It was plucked with a quill or plectrum and its music was a major part of the courts of lords and ladies. The lute has its origins in medieval Europe and is believed to have descended from the short-necked string instruments that were popular in the Islamic culture of the time.
The lute was a highly respected instrument in Europe and was often played by kings and queens, as well as courtiers and minstrels. By the 16th century, it had become the most popular instrument of its time and written music for the lute had begun to appear.
The Baroque Guitar
The Baroque Guitar was created in the 17th century and was an adaptation of the lute. Like the lute, it had a long neck and a round body but with a flat top. This guitar had five double courses of strings, which gave it a much brighter sound. This was the guitar that would come to define Classical music for the next two centuries.
The Baroque guitar was far more popular than the lute and its influence can be heard in the music of many famous composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Beethoven. One of the most famous pieces of music written for the Baroque guitar was the Concerto in G Major by the Italian composer and guitarist Antonio Vivaldi.
The Renaissance Guitar and the Modern Acoustic Guitar
The Renaissance guitar was the next evolution in guitar history. This was smaller than the Baroque guitar and had six or seven single courses of strings. It was a lighter, quieter instrument and its music was mostly used in churches and homes. This was also the time when the modern acoustic guitar was created.
The acoustic guitar is the iconic instrument, familiar to music lovers all over the world. It has a classical shape with a flat top, usually with a hole in the middle to help amplify its sound. The modern acoustic guitar has six strings, with steel strings for the top four and gut strings for the bottom two. It is suitable for all sorts of music, from Classical to Pop and Folk to Jazz.
The Electric Guitar and Rock ‘n’ Roll
The electric guitar changed the course of guitar history once again and is the defining instrument of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This is an amplified guitar with a hollow body and magnetic pickups that capture the vibrations of the strings and can be controlled by knobs, switches and pedals. The electric guitar is suitable for a range of musical genres but is most closely associated with rock and metal.
The classic electric guitar shape is a solid body with a distinctive combination of curves and angles, with the neck and bridge forming a ‘V’ and the body has two ‘horns’ – one on the bottom and one on the top. The electric guitar was developed in the 1930s and ’40s and was popularised by pioneers such as Les Paul and Leo Fender.
The Birth of the Modern Guitar
Guitar history has come full circle and the modern guitar is a combination of all the different instruments and technologies that have come before it. It is an incredibly versatile instrument, capable of producing a wide range of sounds and styles. It has been used in many different genres of music, from rock to funk and jazz to punk.
The modern guitar has a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials available. It is a truly remarkable instrument and our understanding of it is constantly evolving. The next time you pick up your guitar and strum a few chords, just remember – you are part of an epic journey that spans centuries of music and guitar history. Enjoy the ride!