Guitars For You...
To Suite All Your Needs And Wants
by Arian Gems #1

The first guitar appeared around the 14th century and it was believed to have originated in Spain.    It probably had three double courses or pairs of strings, plus a single string to produce a higher note.

In the 16th century the "Vihuela" was played by both the middle and lower classes of Spanish aristocracy.    The vihuela was a small convex-backed guitar with six double courses of strings.

A five single stringed vihuela was played by the rural string bands from Michoacan, Mexico.    Of course over time, these types of bands developed into the now famous Mexican mariachi bands which include guitars, violin and trumpet.

In the 16th and 17th centuries the guitar became popular in other European countries.    These types of guitar had four courses (pairs) of gut strings.    Metal over-spun gut strings were introduced by the 1700's and this allowed the use of normal length bass strings.    In the late 17th century a fifth course of strings were added below the other four.

The guitar started to take it's modern form by the mid 18th century.    The double courses (pairs) of strings were replaced with single strings and a sixth string was added above the lower five strings.

In the 19th century, guitar makers started to reform the guitar.    The body was broadened, the curve of the waist was increased, the belly was thinned, internal bracing was changed and the old wooden tuning pegs were replaced by a modern machined heads.

During the 1930's the Mexican mariachi bands became popular in motion pictures and radio.    The electric guitar was also developed in the Unites States for popular music during this time.    In the 1940's, the solid-bodied electric guitar became popular.

With electric guitars, the body is solid and doesn't resonate.    The performer electronically manipulates and amplifies the sounds of the metal guitar strings.

During the 1940's and 1950's the motion picture industry depicted cowboy's and various associates playing guitars.    This was the beginning of country and western music with the guitar becoming a popular instrument.

With the 1950's Rock'n Roll era, the guitar became the most popular instrument in every band.    Even soloist's strummed or tapped on a guitar.    The electric guitar become a must have instrument during the late 1950's and early 1960's and features now in all popular bands.

During this time the Hawaiian or steel guitar came into being.    This type of guitar can be either be laid across one's knee's or placed on a table or stand.    The player can affect or stop the vibration of the guitar's metal strings by gliding a metal bar over the strings, along the neck of the guitar.

In Spain and Latin America today, guitars are played with various number of strings and they can range from contrabass to treble.    The twelve string guitar has six double courses in standard tuning.

The guitar is an instrument of personal choice and self expression.    To help you in your selection of the instrumental guitar and related books and music, Arian Gems presents....