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The four course (a couple of strings placed side by side, that are played simultaneously
and set to the same tuning) string guitar became popular in most of Europe during the beginning
of the renaissance. Occasionally the first string would remain singular. Music was first written
for this instrument in Spain during the 16th century. Around the same time the five course guitar
was conjured up in Italy. The four course was made obsolete by this new rendition. The tuning
for this guitar was the same as the modern guitars top 5 strings, A, D, G, B, E (Guy). String
courses are still used in modern 12 string guitars. Similar to the lute, early versions of the guitar
rarely had more than more than 8 frets. This number increased to 10 frets and then to 12. During
the 17th century the entirety of Europe adopted the 6 course guitar. The courses were eventually
replaced with singular strings (Guy).
Walt Robbins article, History of the guitar, says that the guitar experienced a decline in
both popularity and credibility during the 18th century. The violin and piano grew in popularity
while the guitar was regarded as a plaything or a tavern instrument. Three of the most
important people involved in the development of the classical guitar, Fernando Sor, Francisco
Tarrega and Antonio de Torres improved the instruments popularity and credibility. Fernando
Sor wrote Method Pour La Guitare an instructional work that is still used as a teaching device
today. It instructs its students on proper sitting positions and right hand picking techniques. It
also depicts a picking style that uses the finger nails, which gave the instrument a different
sound. Sor also assisted in bringing the guitar into the mainstream and helped to establish its
credibility. Francisco Tarrega was the first person who attempted to challenge the negative views
directed toward the guitar. He introduced the foundations for classical guitar techniques through
his influential books. Some of these techniques involve the resting of the guitar on the less
dominant leg, the alteration of right hand positioning and a picking method that uses the finger
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tips (without nails). Antonio Torres is responsible for the changes that led to the modern day
classical guitar. Some important changes included the alteration of the proportions and the
increased body size. However the most important alteration was the fan top bracing pattern
introduced in 1850. These new iterations provided improved projection, tone and volume.
Steal strings were also introduced in the 1800s to give the instrument a more audible
sound. Around this time German immigrants created the X-braced top, which was used to
accommodate the extreme tension caused by the new strings (Guy). Michael Vahilas article for
scholastic.com showcases 2 types of steel string instruments developed in America; the (archtop) and the (flat-top) guitar. The flat-top bears many similarities to the classical but it does differ
due to its slimmer neck and larger body. These guitars were commonly used in folk music due to
their increased volume and ringing tone. The arched - top guitar possessed a thicker top outward
curves and f-shaped sound holes. The Jazz musicians of the 1920s and 30s favored this
instrument because it had a clear warm tone and an audible sound fit for ensembles.
The adoption of the 6 string guitar became universal during the 19th century. One element
that greatly increased the instruments popularity was the industrial revolution. The
improvements in transportation allowed bands and artists to travel greater distances which
brought the sounds of the guitar to new audiences. It also made traveling easier on the musicians
which meant that they could tour more frequently (Fauncher). Electric guitars were developed in
the 1930s to further amplify the instruments sound. This was achieved through the use of
pickups and amplifiers. The pickups turned the sounds of the strings into electrical impulses
which were then sent to the amplifiers. The signal is then strengthened and sent to a speaker
which creates sounds from the projected signals. Amplifiers also allowed a musician to
customize their instruments sound by adjusting the volume, treble (sharpness) and bass
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(deepness). The earliest electric guitars were merely acoustics with pickups slapped on. The
sound was amplified but they also produced excess noise and vibrations. These problems were
resolved by creating a guitar body from one or more solid pieces of wood (Vahilia). The pieces
of wood were allowed to take on many different forms since the bodies no longer served as the
means of amplification. Acoustic guitars relied on the size and shape of their sound box to
project the music. A sound box is the hollow interior of an acoustic instrument that causes the
sound to resonate. When alterations were made to the body of an acoustics it would change the
sound as well. They were forced to maintain a particular figure in order to preserve the desired
sound. Since electrics were no longer hindered by sound boxes they were allowed to have more
maneuverable and slimmer bodies. This made them ideal for live performances especially the
ones of the energetic variety. It also allowed guitar makers to be more creative and expressive
with their designs. Some models of the instrument used a combination of a sound box and
pickups to form its sound. These models like the acoustic guitars maintained a similar shape to
one another in order to create the desired tone. The electric guitar quickly grew in popularity due
to its mobility and ability to play a variety of genres including rock, blues, country and jazz.
The adoption of new musical genres and styles heavily contributed to the electric guitars
popularity. Two of the biggest contributions were the ever-growing popularity of live
performances and the birth of rock and roll. The live shows were increasing in size and intensity.
Acoustic instruments were well suited for small nightclub performances but could have difficulty
being heard over the roaring crowds found at large stadium performances. Rock was louder,
rougher and rawer than any music that came before it, and as a result, demanded an instrument to
match its new style. The electric guitar fit this niche perfectly. The sharpness of the steel strings
combined with the increased volume made the guitar the perfect tool for rock musicians.
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Jimi Hendrix has shaped the image of the electric guitar more than any other musician.
His use of heavy distortion and effects pedals infused his music with a newfound energy.
Through this a new style was created which presented a vast array of possibilities for the guitar.
His music forever changed the musical landscape and the way people viewed the instrument.
According to Simon Glickman at encyclopedia.com, Hendrix was born in Seattle,
Washington, in 1942. At the age of twelve he acquired his first guitar. Since he was a left handed
kid playing a right handed guitar he had to turn it upside down. He was self-taught and started off
learning blues songs from the likes of Muddy Waters and B. B. King. During his mid-teens he
played R&B and blues tunes with a band called The Rocking Kings. When he was 17 he joined
the 101st Airborne Division and became a Paratrooper. His later musical efforts would be
influenced by the unearthly sensations he experienced while free falling. After Hendrix was
discharged from the army, he quickly obtained a reputation as a skilled guitar player. Despite
this, his earliest efforts mainly consisted of playing backup for R&B artists such as Curtis
Mayfield who influenced Hendrixs later style. He was unable to hold a consistent gig because
the lead artist felt that Hendrixs energetic performances were stealing the spotlight. The Isley
Brothers allowed Hendrix more freedom and even let him contribute a solo to their 1964 album
Testify (Glickman).
In 1966 Hendrix formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience along with bassist Noel Redding
and drummer John Mitchell. During this time Hendrix found his voice as a singer and a
songwriter. He was inspired by the surreal and personal work of folk artist Bob Dylan. Hendrix
even covered Dylans song All Along the Watchtower which became his only top 40 hit. The
band began working on their debut album, Are You Experienced after signing a contract with
Track Records. Their first single was a cover of the folk-rock track Hey Joe. Hendrixs calm
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and haunting take on the song gave the violent lyrics a greater sense of importance and impact.
This song quickly grew in popularity garnering Hendrix constant praise from audiences and
fellow musicians. The album incorporated many different influences, giving each track its own
personal feel and sound. Purple Haze became a rock anthem due to its use of distortion and
psychedelic stylings. The Wind Cries Mary provided the album with a soulful melodic ballad.
Fire made use of elements from R&B while Third Stone from the Sun fused jazz and rock.
Hendrixs unique sound was shaped by his fusing of blues-rock with feedback and tremolo. His
identity was also established through his energetic live performances, one of which involved him
setting his own guitar on fire (Glickman).
The bands sophomore effort Axis: Bold as Love further established Hendrixs skills with
songwriting and balladry. Little Wing is perhaps the most well-known track and has been
covered by countless artists. However, he was displeased with the way the album had been
mixed and cut. Hendrix also wanted to move past his cinematic persona and expand further as a
musician. Many fans were upset when he refused to participate in his customary performances
(Glickman).
As a result of his expanding creativity he created a new album, Electric Ladyland (1968).
The album hosted many guest musicians and included Voodoo Child (Slight Return), which is
arguably Hendrixs greatest and most well-known song. It also featured other great tracks such as
Burning of the Midnight Lamp and the ever popular Crosstown Traffic. Many people
consider this album to be Hendrixs greatest musical achievement and the ultimate display of his
guitar mastery (Glickman).
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He later received legal trouble when Ed Chalpin sued him over a 1966 contract dispute.
As a result he had to hand over many of his earnings to Chalpin and obtained road fatigue from a
constant and exhausting touring schedule. The Jimi Hendrix Experience soon broke up where
upon Hendrix recruited drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Cox, in order to form the soulrock group Band of Gypsys. His performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 1969
Woodstock festival captured the tragic nature of the Vietnam War. The guitarist of Living Colour,
Vernon Reid even stated that At that moment, he became one of the greats, like Coltrane or
Parker or Dolphy. He plugged into something deep, something beyond good or bad playing. It
was just there it is. Hendrix then played with different jazz musicians and showed an interest in
elements of the jazz fusion genera (a mixture of jazz and rock) (Glickman). In Sheila Wellers
interview for Rolling Stone Hendrix stated that I don't want to be a clown anymore. I don't want
to be a 'rock and roll star (Weller).'" He expressed in future interviews that he wanted other
musicians to cover his work and to be a talented writer (Glickman).
In 1970 the newly assembled band released a live album which became their only
officially released work. Unfortunately Hendrix had to hand over the albums claims to Chalpin.
The new rhythm section of Hendrixs band provided it with a different sound on infused with the
stylings of funk. Machine Gun was a critically acclaimed track that provided a harsh criticism
of war and violence. The trio was short lived due to the departure of Miles and the return of
Mitchell. With this alteration Hendrix recorded several tracks for his double album First Rays of
the New Rising Sun. This album would have supposedly combined elements of soul, jazz,
psychedelia, hard rock, and a few undefined styles. Unfortunately Hendrix was unable to
complete his magnum opus due to his death on September 18th 1970 from a sleeping pill
overdose (Glickman).
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Even though Hendrixs musical carrier was short lived he left a lasting legacy that
will never be forgotten. He was completely original and nothing like anything that came before
him. His endeavors forever changed the style and the image of the guitar. The instruments
versatility and popularity are largely contributed to Jimi Hendrix. There have been many artists
who have tried to imitate his style but none have come close to capturing the true soul and
passion he possessed. His influence can be seen in countless musical genres including jazz, funk,
metal, fusion and especially rock. The eccentric style he used to play his instrument has forever
changed the way the electric guitar is seen and played. He induced the genre of rock with a new
vibrant energy while also encouraging the fusion of multiple styles. In 1992 he was accepted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The next year he obtained the Grammy Awards Lifetime
Achievement Award (Glickman). He didnt just play the guitar he spoke through it.
The modern image of the guitar has been shaped by many different aspects throughout
history. Instruments of the past such as harps and lutes helped inspire the present figure and
stylings of the guitar. Even when the guitar gained its own classification as an instrument, it
continued to change in form and sound. Strings were added and the body was altered to give the
instrument a more efficient sound. The view of the guitar was also changed from a plaything to a
well-respected instrument by the works of extraordinary musicians. Advancements in technology
and musical styles led to a new rendition of the instrument that is used today in numerous genres.
The guitar is shaped just as much by the influential artists who play it. One artist in particular
Jimi Hendrix changed the entire musical landscape with his unique style of playing. Thanks to
him and the many other innovators that came before him the guitar is a refined, well respected
instrument that is used to play countless genres and styles. Through the years the guitar has been
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shaped by the innovators and artists in order to create the versatile and expressive instrument we
used today.
Work Sited
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