In the previous blog post, we discussed the history of guitars. We talked about the early development stages, and the types of guitars that existed hundreds of years ago. In this part of the post, we will elaborate on the different types of guitars that exist and how the instrument has evolved over the years!

We talk about some of the greatest guitarists—the musicians that carved their name in history for mastering an instrument that is deemed difficult to learn.

Anyway, let’s continue from where we left off!

The Lute

The lute was basically the cousin of oud. The lute became a favorite in royal courts because of its distinguished sound and appearance. Since it had a vast number of strings (more than the oud), it was difficult to play and tune.

This feature made the instrument expensive and favorable in the eyes of the royals who hired experts to play for them.

Development of the Modern-Day Guitars

The guitars we’re used to seeing were developed by a man named Charles II. It came into existence in England, on June 08, 1660. Charles II was exiled and once he came back to Europe, he brought his guitar along with him, carrying it from Gover to London.

The Rise and Fall of Guitars

It was during the 18^th and 19^th century that the instrument gained immense popularity. It became even more popular than the piano! In fact, many royals had quit the piano and switched to guitars!

Unfortunately, Jacob Kirkman, a harp maker, was left to struggle with decreased sales after the guitar became popular. He decided to take advantage of the problem and started selling low-quality, cheap guitars. This lead to everyone buying the instrument and playing it.

Once the royals saw this, they switched back to playing the piano and harp.

Fortunately, with the introduction of Martin guitars, acoustic guitars became popular. They were the next best invention after bread and butter. And by the end of the 19^th century, the guitar became a significant part of music.

The Greatest Guitarists in History

Not everyone can master the art of guitar playing. It takes determination, sheer genius, and a lot of hard work to master the instrument. Some of the greatest guitarists in the world include:

• Angus Young: The guitarist for AC/DC; he is considered one of the greatest guitarists for his unique melodies, riffs, and sounds. He’s able to do acrobatics without missing a note!
• Jimi Hendrix: Although his career lasted 4 years, the guitarist is considered one of the best in the world.
• Joni Mitchell: One of the best female guitarists of all time, Joni’s specialty is that she uses 50 different tunings at the same time!

Guitars are wonderful instruments. But they’re even better when accompanied by another instrument. They complement other sounds and blend in with them, creating an incredible fusion. One of these instruments is the piano.

Create compelling and incredible music using your guitar and the piano. By using music notation software, you can create midi files that go well with the sound of your guitar!

With Music Jotter, you can accomplish that and much more! Make creating and composing sheet music easy, without the need for technical knowledge! Check out our demo or contact us for information regarding purchases.