History of the guitar

The ancestor of the guitar would have been found in the old Middle East (in Babylon).

In Egypt and in Rome, instruments had characteristics approaching the guitar.

Guitarra Morisca was brought by Maures at the time of their conquest of Spain.

However, it is believed that Guitarra Latina is that which, undoubtedly, evolved to the modern guitar. With the Middle Ages, guitars with three, four and five cords coexisted.

At the 15th century, the guitar with four double cords was widespread.

At the 16th century, on the other hand, it was supplanted by the guitar with five double cords.

At the 16th century, one notices the vihuela time of Shine Milan, the Rizzio guitar in France, will guitarra it battente of Italy, the specimens still exist.

The type-setters for these instruments wrote especially in fingering chart. Italy was the center of the world of the guitar of the 17th century.

In France, the guitar was the instrument of the nobility while the Spanish school of the guitar did not start to open out before the end of the 18th century.

The Italian type-setters wrote a great number of works and, like their interpreters and manufacturers of guitar, travelled much.

The addition of the sixth cord about the middle of the 18th century was the most significant factor in the evolution of the guitar.

During the 19th century, the changes under the social conditions and the improvement of the means of transport contributed to make known the guitar and made it possible to the interpreters to travel much.

The 19th century marked the apogee of the music of guitar in Spain.

A. Torres to the guitar its current base form gave. In the 20th century, revolutionary technological progress, the development of the mass media just as of the faster and effective means of transport are the factors responsible for the enormous popularity of the guitar.

Examples

Guitar of Antonio de Torres 1882

He has designed a larger case provided with broader fish-plates, and invented the interior stopping in range to increase sonority. Above of the case in fir tree, below and maple, bois de rose fish-plates or cypress. Handle in cedar covered with bois de rose keys.

Solomon Guitar

Guitar built in Paris by Solomon about 1760. Additional presence of 2 ankles in the centre of the head. Hoops in bowel.

Lute

The lute, in its popular form, had a variable number of cords, eight double cords in the specimen of this figure.

The guitar with four series of cords

In the majority of the countries of Europe, its four cords were double, except in Italy, where the first cord was simple. In the same way, the Italian instrument was differently granted standard system. The first hoops were in bowel.

Guitar with five series of cords

The guitar presents 10 fixed hoops in bowel. Length of the cords: 68 cm.

Guitarra battente

Guitarra battente will guitarra was a popular guitar in Italy and was characterized by metal cords. The hoops miss. The rosette is very decorated. The handle is covered with mother-of-pearl. The back and sides of this guitar are very decorated, out of ebony and ivory. The form is very bent.

Two guitars of the 17th century

The guitar of right-hand side was made by Rene Voboam. It is dated 1641. The guitar of left is the work of Domenico Sellas, of Venice, about 1670. It is incrustrée of mother-of-pearl mother-of-pearl.