Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson - History of the Acoustic Guitar

[Dominick Harvey]

Guitars can be divided into two main categories: acoustic guitars and
electric guitars. There are some major differences in the two types of
guitar.
Acoustic guitars have a hollow body and the sounds they create are
amplified using the resonance of the guitar body, which creates a real
natural sound.
Electric guitars are typically made of solid wood and the sound
produced by the guitar strings is amplified by electricity. Pickups on
the electric guitar body pass the sound through a cord to the
amplifier, and the final sounds come out of a speaker. Various types
of signal processors can be used between the guitar and the amplifier
to create unique sounds.
Acoustic guitars can also be divided into two main categories: nylon
string acoustic guitars, such as the flamenco and the classical
guitar, and of course the steel string acoustic guitar, such as the
western guitar (used in folk, country), the twelve string acoustic,
the resonator guitar, the baroque guitar, and the archtop guitar. The
most commonly used type is the steel string guitar, which many rock
bands play during acoustical jams.
The baroque guitar is the original instrument. Introduced back in the
baroque era, around 1600, it is the first acoustic guitar ever to be
played. Strings were made from animal gut, and the size of the guitar
was much smaller than acoustic guitars you see today. Frets on the
baroque guitar were also fabricated with animal gut, and they were
tied to the neck of the instrument.
Classical guitars represent the modern acoustic guitar, and are played
by classical musicians. They are also known as the Spanish guitar. The
fret and the distance between strings is bigger on a classical guitar,
as the players pluck the strings with their fingers instead of using a
pick (which is typically used on steel string guitars). This is an
excellent way to learn how to play the guitar, and gives beginners a
great foundation for learning the instrument.
Acoustic guitars have remained uniform in size and shape over the last
century. The classical guitar is unique from a typical acoustic guitar
due to the nylon strings used. This creates a distinct warm and rich
tone. Also, players hold the classical guitar in a unique position:
the left leg is raised onto a footstool, and the guitar is positioned
on this leg (steel string guitarists typically use the right leg). The
classical guitarist holds the instrument in place with their right
arm.
It is imperative to mention some of the most profound classical guitar
players when talking about the classical acoustic guitar. Andres
Segovia is probably the most well known classical guitarist, the man
who once said he "rescued the guitar from the hands of flamenco
gypsies". He built a great classical repertoire and gave the classical
guitar a place in concert halls around the world.
Segovia had his first concert in Spain at the tender age of sixteen. A
couple of years later he held his first professional concert in
Madrid, where he displayed his impeccable talent playing
transcriptions of Francisco Tarrega, and works by Johann Sebastian
Bach.
Although many people did not believe that the new sounds of Segovia's
classical guitar would be accepted by the guitar community, he was
able to prove them wrong with his amazing technique and unique touch.
He single-handedly managed to revive the acoustic guitar and gave it a
well deserved place in concert halls. Segovia continued to play into
his old age, and was respected enough to receive the title Marques de
Salobre?a in 1981 for his cultural contributions.
If you are interested in the masters of classical acoustic guitar, you
should be sure to check out the works of Mauro Giuliani, Augustin
Barrios, Fernando Carulli, Matteo Carcassi, and Fernando Sor just to
name a few.

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