The Evolution of the Guitar: A Timeline Through History.
The guitar has held a special place in the hearts of music lovers for centuries – embedded in traditional music, inspiring pop culture, and serving as an instrument of choice for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and B.B. King. But, how did this beloved instrument make its way from antiquity to the rock ‘n’ roll era? Let’s delve into a timeline of guitar history, from the origins of the instrument to the evolution of the instrument in modern times.
Guitars have been around for quite some time, but the exact origin of the instrument is difficult to trace. There are some records that suggest early versions of the guitar may have been used in ancient Greece or India, though the exact form and use of the instrument is largely unknown. However, all forms of the early guitar can be traced back to the lute – a stringed instrument that dates back to the Middle Ages.
The Renaissance Period (c. 1450-1550) saw the development of the lute and the refinement of guitar instruments. At this time, the lute was the most popular instrument in Europe and many classical composers wrote compositions for its use.
By the early 17th century, baroque guitars were being developed in Spain and Italy. These instruments were larger and had many more strings than their predecessors. Baroque guitars featured numerous curvilinear designs carved into the back and top of the instrument and prominent fret wire for playability.
Throughout the 18th century it was common for guitarists to play the instrument with a bow. This technique, known as “bowing”, is used to create a sustained and stable tone on the instrument and is still used by modern guitarists today. In this period of time, the guitar also started to become popular in Europe and its design evolved considerably.
In the 19th century, guitars became increasingly popular in the United States and manufacturers started to experiment with different shapes, sizes, and styles. The two most prominent guitar body styles of this period were the parlor guitar and the classical guitar. Parlor guitars were renowned for their distinctive sound – a soft reverberation due to their small body and light construction. Meanwhile, classical guitars were popular due to their louder volume, fuller resonance and characteristic use of nylon strings.
In the early 20th century, the electric guitar was invented. This transformed the guitar sound and made it louder and clearer than ever before. Soon after its invention, the electric guitar started to be incorporated into popular music, most notably in blues, jazz, and country. The emergence of electric guitar provided more sonic possibilities than ever before and inspired guitarists to explore more complex techniques.
By the 1960s, electric guitars began appearing in the work of adolescent bands, like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. This ushered in a whole new level of guitar music – rock ‘n’ roll. Bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and The Who began incorporating electric guitars into their music and using effects pedals to create a new sound.
The 1970s and 80s saw electric guitar popularity soar, as more musicians embraced the instrument and its capabilities. The hard rock and metal genres of this era pushed the electric guitar to its limits and defined the electric guitar’s sound in modern music. This decade also saw the emergence of the electric bass guitar and the use of synthesizers to further enhance the sound of the electric guitar.
From the 1990s to the present day, the electric guitar has been embraced as a versatile and ubiquitous instrument. Guitarists are pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic possibilities. This includes the use of digital instruments, various effects pedals, multitracked recordings, loops and sampling.
The evolution of the guitar is a testament to its history – one which spans centuries and reveals the amazing capabilities of the instrument. From classical lutes to electric guitars, the vast array of guitars over the years have helped shape the way music is and will be made. As time passes, the guitar is sure to remain a beloved mainstay of popular culture, inspiring numerous generations of guitarists, songwriters, and music lovers.