Spanish For Dummies
The Guitar - a Brief History
The guitar is an ancient instrument that can be traced back over 4000 years. The fact that there are many different theories as to its beginning only demonstrates the appeal and uniqueness of this instrument.
The earliest stringed instruments are believed to be the bowl harps and tanburs. Items like these are available for viewing at various museums around the world and highlight instruments from ancient Egypt and Babylon.
The name "guitar" comes from the ancient Sanskrit word for "string" - "tar".
By the beginning of the Renaissance the four-course guitar had become dominant in most of Europe but was replaced by the five-course Italian instrument known as the guitarra battente. The standard tuning, like our modern guitars, had already settled at A, D, G, B, E.
A sixth course of strings (12 strings) was added to the guitarra battente in the 17th century, but it eventually gave way to six single strings - resembling today's instrument. But it wasn't until the 19th century that the guitar of today started to emerge.
Spanish maker Antonio Torres developed an instrument that resembles the modern classical guitar by increasing the size of the body, changing its proportions, and introducing the fan-top bracing pattern. These changes improved the volume and tone of the instrument, and it became the accepted construction standard.
On the heels of the Spanish influence came the appearance of the United States of America as the new purveyor of all things guitar! A group of German immigrants to America introduced guitars with X-braced tops. Then as the twentieth century dawned, so did the use of steel strings to enhance the sound of the instrument and take advantage of the German addition of the X-brace.
During this time the renown Orville Gibson was building archtop guitars and later merged with Lloyd Loar to refine the archtop "jazz" guitar into its now familiar form with f-holes, floating bridge and cello-type tailpiece.
The electric guitar did not come on the scene until the 1920's. At first it was simply Hawaiian guitars with added pickups and was of little importance. That all changed in 1936 when Gibson introduced the ES150 model later made famous by Charlie Christian.
Today we have virtually the same instrument with a few modifications that simply reflect personal tastes and thus appeal to a larger group of consumers.
About the Author
H.W. Ted is a musician, songwriter, guitar player and guitar teacher. He has been involved with music for many years having recorded songs and jingles for both personal pleasure and commercially.
Spanish For Dummies (1) - Introduction and Pronunciation Guide
|
|
Spanish Made Dummy Shells For Western Pistols (22-Series) Spanish Made Dummy Shells For Western Pistols (22-Series)... |
|
|
Fender Presents: Getting Started on Electric Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners $20.00 Over 3 hours long with 50 interactive guitar lessons on DVD. Covers tuning, essential chords and scales, practice tips, rhythm techniques, play-along tracks with a band, 3-D fretboard graphics, instrument care, and more. Includes 5 languages: English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and German. Hosted by Keith Wyatt of the Musicians Institute.... |
|
|
Bass Guitar Lessons: Beginning Bass - How to play Bass instructional video $10.76 Tony Saunders has performed and recorded with countless well-known artists including: Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and many more! In Beginning Bass, Tony gives 4 and 5 string beginning players an up close detailed course in the fundamentals of beginning bass playing. Includes on-screen tablature, interactive lesson chart and a free password to online book. 14 HD LCD Display (1366x768, 1... |
|
|
Hello Destiny $6.62 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.... |
|
|
Comrades of Summer [VHS] $9.94 ... |
|
|
Dummy [VHS] $44.87 ... |
|
|
Serial Killing 101 [VHS] $44.98 When a disgruntled high school senior gets hassled for his lack of ambition, he decides to devote his energy into becoming a serial killer. He starts out small until he meets the girl of his dreams who wants to be his first victim.... |
|
|
Wahl The Complete Haircutting Kit for Dummies Multi-Cut clipper with thumb adjustable taper control and detail trimmer to provide that finished look plus exclusive "For Dummies" full-color instructions to help the novice cut hair like a pro. Makes is fun to cut, style and maintain any haircut. Features MC clipper, detail trimmer, blade guard, scissors, barber comb, styling comb, cleaning brush, oil, durable handled storage case, 6 guide co... |
|
|
Baby Alive Better Now Baby - Caucasian Colors may vary $23.75 Play "mommy" with this amazing doll that gets "all better" with your love and care. Insert the "thermometer" into her mouth to see that she has a "fever." Hold the "medicine" spoon to her mouth and tilt it downward to see the "medicine" disappear! She even comes with an aspirator that you can use to clear your doll's "stuffy nose." Keep her hydrated with "drinks" from her sippy cup and she actuall... |
|
|
Pushing Daisies: The Complete First Season $10.99 Pushing Daisies is many things at once: detective show, romantic comedy, whimsical fantasy and above all, a story about a guy who bakes pies and has the ability to bring dead people back to life. Somehow all of these things come together to make one of the most enjoyable, funny and bittersweet shows to come along in a long time. A lot of that magic comes from the near-perfect casting - Lee Pace (T... |
|
|
Spanish for Dummies (Mixed media product) $14.89 A whole-language approach providing full immersion Spanish instruction Spanish For Dummies, Second Edition is the fun and easy way to learn Spanish quickly and painlessly! Written by the experts at the renowned Berlitz school, th... |
|
|
El GED en Espanol para Dummies / The GED in Spanish for Dummies (Paperback) $12.11 To prepare readers for the Spanish-translated GED exam, El GED en Espanol Para Dummies provides readers with a comprehensive study guide that includes:  Fresh and relevant example questions Hands-on training in each of... |
Be the first to comment.