Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Secret #1: The Guitar’s Early Days
• Secret #2: The Birth of Popular Music
• Secret #3: The Rise of the Electric Guitar
• Secret #4: The Influence of Jazz
• Secret #5: The Impact of the Blues
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Introduction

When you pick up a guitar, you become part of a rich history that spans centuries. But do you really know where your beloved instrument came from? The truth is, the history of guitar music is not as straightforward as you might think. In this blog post, we’ll explore five shocking secrets about the origins of guitar music that might just change the way you look at your guitar forever.

Secret #1: The Guitar’s Early Days

The guitar as we know it today has its origins in Spain in the 16th century. Its ancestor was a four-stringed instrument called the vihuela, which was popular in Renaissance music. Over time, the vihuela evolved into the guitar we know and love today, with six strings and a distinctive shape.

But the guitar was not always a popular instrument. In fact, it was often seen as a lowly instrument, used by peasants and beggars. It wasn’t until the 18th century that the guitar began to gain popularity among the upper classes. During this time, famous composers such as Beethoven and Mozart began to experiment with the guitar in their compositions, giving it a newfound respectability.

Secret #2: The Birth of Popular Music

It wasn’t until the 19th century that the guitar truly began to come into its own as an instrument. With the rise of popular music, the guitar became a staple in the music of the masses. In the United States, the guitar was used in folk and country music, while in Europe it was used in popular ballads and dances.

One of the most important factors in the guitar’s rise to popularity was the invention of the modern steel string guitar in the late 19th century. This allowed for greater volume and projection, and made the guitar a more versatile instrument.

Secret #3: The Rise of the Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is one of the most recognizable instruments in the world, but it wasn’t always so. The first electric guitars were invented in the early 1930s, and they were seen as novelties at first. It wasn’t until the 1950s, with the rise of rock and roll, that the electric guitar truly came into its own.

One of the most influential electric guitarists of all time was Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix’s innovative use of effects pedals and feedback revolutionized the way the guitar was played, and helped to cement its place in popular music.

Secret #4: The Influence of Jazz

Jazz music has been one of the most important influences on guitar music throughout the 20th century. Many of the greatest guitarists of all time, such as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian, were jazz musicians.

The jazz guitar style is characterized by its use of complex harmonic structures and improvisation. Jazz guitarists often use chord-melody techniques, where they play both the melody and the chords of a song at the same time, creating a rich and full sound.

Secret #5: The Impact of the Blues

The blues is one of the most important genres in the history of guitar music. Originating in the African-American communities of the southern United States in the 19th century, the blues is characterized by its use of a 12-bar structure and a distinctive “blue” note.

The blues has been hugely influential on guitar music, and many of the greatest guitarists of all time, such as B.B. King and Eric Clapton, are blues musicians. The blues guitar style is characterized by its use of bends, slides, and vibrato, which give the guitar a distinctive and expressive sound.

Conclusion

So there you have it, five shocking secrets about the origins of guitar music that you may not have known before. From its humble beginnings in Renaissance Spain to its status as one of the most iconic instruments of all time, the guitar has a rich and varied history that continues to evolve to this day.

FAQ