A large body with great curves, many color tones that bring passion and harmony to your life: these are all characteristics of a guitar. The guitar is one of the oldest instruments in the world. It is used in a wider variety of musical styles and can be used as a solo classical instrument. There is a large variety of types of guitars depending on its use and number of strings that can vary from 6 to 12 strings.
The guitars history goes back to about 5000 years ago to a similar instrument in central Asia called the “Sitara”. It also traces its path to Spain with the “vihuela” and in Italy with the “mandolin”. Both are similar to the guitar and were used to fulfill a similar purpose to the guitar. The electric guitar does not have such history as the acoustic guitar but it also shows great important in today’s music. It was Danelectro who invented it and first performed it in public.
Guitars are divided into two important types, which are electric and acoustic guitars. Acoustic guitars are divided into a much larger subgroup which consists of about twelve types of guitars which are: Renaissance, Classical, Portuguese, Flat top, Arch top, Resonator, 12 string, Russian, Acoustic bass, Tenor, Harp, and Battente guitars. All of these are used in different types of music and in different cultures. The most popular one is the Classical guitar which is used the most today. In comparison, electric guitars are only divided in two: electric guitars and electric bass guitar. The only difference between these two is the tones made.
The most important component of a guitar is its strings. In ancient times, the guitars strings were made out of animal’s body organs. But today, the strings are made of either nylon if the guitar is acoustic or of plain metal is the guitar is electric. There may be a few variations because now days, technology allows there to be a third type of guitar which is known as the electro acoustic guitar. Basically, it is an acoustic guitar that allows the notes to be amplified and produced in a speaker.
Today’s musical culture owes a lot to the guitar. In some cases, the guitar is the main component in some genres. For example, jazz was created only with a guitar. As time passed, more instruments were added, but its essence is the guitar. Popular music in most cases contains at least one guitar. It is noticeable to mention the guitars importance; after all it is the most popular instrument in the world.
Source: www.isnare.com
