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THE GUITAR
    By Dory Shakiba

Realistically the history of the guitar cannot be traced back more than the 15th century. The guitar's roots are in Spain, and thought to have been invented by the Malagueñan people.

At first, this early instrument was very small and was strung with four pair of strings, which the ukulele was derived from.

During the Renaissance the guitar was not considered a serious instrument and never had the respect the lute enjoyed. It is thought that Alonso Mudarra's "tres libros de Música en cifras para Vihuela" was the first publication for the guitar. Eventually the guitar began to attract players and more publications and music began to appear.

During the Baroque period a fifth course was added to the guitar and even more music became available. Then it's repertoire and the complexity of the music increased. At the end of this period two main changes were made. Single strings replaced double strings and the five pair string was changed to six single strings.

By the Classical Period many other composers and performers started to write and publish music and describe it's methods. The guitar became very popular and concerts became common.

By the end of the 19th Century the guitar had lost it's charm but was re-animated by Francisco Tarrega. Not only did he compose but also wrote a book on the method for teaching the guitar and transcribed many pieces of music for the guitar. Tarrega was the person who began the art and tradition of playing with the fingernails. Tarrega influenced the well-known Segovia. Not only did Segovia perform, transcribe and teach music but he also discovered a tremendous amount of music and encouraged many composers to write for the guitar. Segovia was the first person to give a guitar concert in a concert hall, which before no one believed could be done. Segovia was the first person that made the guitar respected and recognised all over the world with his travels and concerts.

The guitar was a small and narrow instrument but Manuel Torres re-designed it and increased the size. Torres, later known as the father of the modern guitar, tried all different experimentations to improve the sound and was amazed that by increasing the size, the sound was much clearer and better. In 1946 nylon stings replaced the gut strings, which was a big improvement.

Now there are many societies and magazines devoted to the guitar and many guitar concerts are carried out with great success.

Let the music Play!

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