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Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar reviews, articles, and tips for beginners and beyond

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History

The history of the Acoustic Guitar goes all the way back to 2000-1500 BC in Persia (modern day Iran).  Although back then, they looked very different…

Although steel-stringed acoustic guitars are now one of the most popular instruments around the world, the person who is believed to have actually created the very first of these guitars was a German immigrant to the USA called Christian Frederick Martin (1796-1867).

Guitars at the time had strings created from the intestines of sheep (note to self; never play an old guitar!). Mr Martin didn’t like the sheep version, so he was determined to develop a guitar that utilised steel strings instead. He is claimed to have produced an all new guitar by designing the internal structure to hold up against the stress of the steel strings.  Finally the sheep could live without fear…

The next step of development was by the Spanish musician, Antonio de Torres Jurado. He adjusted the dimensions of the guitar, offering it a more pronounced midsection and also broader body. He changed the wooden pegs with mechanical ones.

The result of these adjustments were a louder, richer, thicker sound than previous guitars could produce. Because of this, guitarists from all over Europe started duplicating his design.

The rest, they say, is history!

Acoustic Guitar Specs

There are four main types of the modern Acoustic Guitar:

  1. Classical (nylon strings)
  2. Steel String
  3. Archtop
  4. A popular variation of classical guitar called a Twelve-String

The acoustic guitar actually has the same range as the electric guitar.

The lowest note (top string) is E2 (written E3 on the bass clef staff) and sounds an octave lower than written.

The six strings sound E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4.

How To Play

The main source of sound in an acoustic guitar is the string, which is plucked or strummed with the finger or with a plectrum. The string vibrates at a necessary frequency and also create many harmonics at various different frequencies.

What is the quickest way to learn to play chords?

Practice! I know, that’s the most stupid answer you could possibly be given, but it’s true!  As you practice the barre chords, your playing will end up being cleaner, and your chord changes will become smoother. So turn off that phone and practice…

did you know

The oldest acoustic guitar is over 3500 years old!

It was found in Egypt and was in the court of Queen Hatshepsut; the player was the bard of the royal court and was buried by the queen. Quite an honour!

The guitar was made of cedar and had three strings as well as a plectrum.

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