Family: String instruments
Photo: Gibb Stutz, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The acoustic guitar needs no electricity: the sound of the strings is amplified by a wooden body with a sound hole. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world – and the one most people start their musical journey with.
Two types
- The classical guitar has nylon strings, a wide neck and a soft, warm tone. Its modern shape was created in the 19th century by the Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres.
- The steel-string (western) guitar sounds brighter and louder. Its best-known shape is the dreadnought – a big body with a powerful low end – popularised by the American company Martin.
Fun facts
Django Reinhardt, the legend of gypsy jazz, lost the use of two fingers of his left hand after a fire. He developed a two-finger technique and became one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history.
In rock and jazz
In rock the acoustic guitar means ballads and „unplugged” sets: the intro to Led Zeppelin’s „Stairway to Heaven” or Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged concert of 1993. In jazz it is above all gypsy jazz (manouche) – fast, rhythmic playing in which the guitar replaces the drums.
Do you play this instrument? Share your experience in the comments below – tell others what is worth knowing.