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The acoustic guitar is a staple of modern contemporary music. But when you understand its rich and storied history, you can develop a deeper appreciation for this wonderful instrument.

While it is by no means necessary to understand the complete history in order to learn and play the acoustic guitar, it can give you some extra motivation when you realize that you are playing an instrument that has been around, in various forms, for thousands of years.

The origins of the original guitars are, of course, not completely known. The guitar likely has its roots in the Middle East. There is archaeological evidence from ancient Babylonia that shows stringed instruments with differently shaped bodies and necks.

Evidence from Egypt shows instruments with obvious frets where you would hold the strings to produce different notes.

During the middle ages many different styles and shapes of guitars flourished, with different strings and different body designs. The Moors are known to have introduced a guitar to Spain called the Guitarra Morisca, which was an oval shaped box with various holes to add different sound quality.

During the seventeenth century, Italy was the main producer of guitars used in Europe. Later, during the eighteenth and nineteenth century when travel became more and more accessible, the guitar became widely know around Europe.

The pre curser to the modern guitar is largely attributed to Antonio de Torres, who modified the body and string structure of the guitar.

Guitar making shifted to the United States during the massive influx of immigrants in the early twentieth century, during which time many skilled instrument makers.

It was during this time that Martin and Gibson, two of the most influential guitar makers starting creating their designs.

Later, a guitarist from Spain, Andres Segovia, was instrumental in establishing the guitar as a concert instrument. Until that time, guitars were mainly used in jazz or folk music. Several classical compositions were adapted by him, and he is widely known for inspiring many other guitarists.

The modern electric guitar, first came onto the scene in the 1930′s and was popularized in 1940′s by musician and inventor Les Paul.

Later, the first commercially available electric guitar was created and designed by Leo Fender. Both the Les Paul and Fender brand names are known the world over, and are staples in modern rock music.

Who knows what shape or form the guitar will develop into in the future. Just know that when you pick up your guitar and start strumming, you are holding history in your hands.

Want to become part of history? Come on over and sign up for your free acoustic guitar lesson today.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/the-rich-and-colorful-history-of-the-acoustic-guitar-1735359.html

Have you ever been at a party, or some kind of social gathering, and suddenly somebody started playing an acoustic guitar? If there were halfway decent, then you likely paused and turned your attention towards them. There is something subconsciously captivating about simple musical notes played in the background of any social gathering.

If you’d like to learn how to do just that, then this article is for you. I’ll break down the basic details on how to get started learning and playing the acoustic guitar so you can be the one that is always getting invited to parties and so thoroughly enjoyed.

The first step, of course, is to get yourself an acoustic guitar. You don’t need to buy a top of the line model, or even a mid range model. You don’t really even need to buy a new one. You can easily find a used guitar for under a hundred dollars in either Internet or traditional classified advertisements.

Now that you’ve got your guitar, it’s time to learn how to play. There are many ways to go about doing this, and they all depend on your own personal learning style. Some people like taking traditional classes at a community college. Those can be helpful, but sometimes they move a bit slow for some people, as they only meet once a week, and you rarely get much one on one time with the instructor.

Self study is likely the most preferred way to learn. You buy a book, look at the pictures, and do your best to follow along. One of the things you won’t get from a book is effective feedback. You never really know if you are playing correctly, or even holding the instrument correctly. This is OK, if you have a solid ear for music, but if you are a beginner, it can sometimes be difficult.

One way that many people are starting to take advantage of is Internet based learning modules. Any Internet acoustic guitar lesson usually contains several progressively based modules, so you can repeat them as necessary and move on to the next one as you feel comfortable. Videos are also included, showing you various specifics like how to hold your fingers, and hands. You can also hear the target note or chords being played, so you will know exactly how it is supposed to sounds. Many courses also offer songs that feature the target chords, so that you can play along after you’ve mastered them. This does wonders for your motivation.

Whichever acoustic guitar lesson you decide on, the far and away most important element is consistent, regular practice. With the right course, consistent practice, and sufficient motivation, you’ll be the one playing for all your friends at parties and social gatherings in no time.

If you’d like to get started today, come on over and sign up for your free acoustic guitar lesson today.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/with-the-right-acoustic-guitar-lesson-youll-be-playing-at-parties-in-no-time-1735475.html