Did you know the world's biggest functioning guitar is 13 meters long?
Although steel-stringed acoustic guitars are now used worldwide, the person who is thought to have created the first of these guitars was a German immigrant to the United States named Christian Frederick Martin (around 1850).
The electric guitar, invented in 1932, was adopted by jazz guitar players who wanted to play single-note guitar solos in large big band ensembles.
The electric guitar is vital for many rock songs, whether it's the focal point or just a subtle addition. It's not just a rhythm guitar; it's the vocals and melody too. From the electric guitar's early days, the sound has developed and improved over the years, allowing for more versatility and new genres to come into existence.
In the 1950s and '60s, the electric guitar came onto the scene and with it a resurgence in rock music. Like Jimi Hendrix, many of the greatest rock musicians ever to live were known for their electric guitar skills.
A guitar solo usually features an electric guitar player performing unaccompanied, often with improvisational or highly technical skills.
Many of us will recognize the famous Albert King solo in "Born Under A Bad Sign" or know Stevie Ray Vaughen, one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Another example of a famous guitar solo is:
- Eric Clapton's "Layla,"
- "The Thrill Is Gone" by BB King,
- "Hotel California" by The Eagles,
- "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd, or
- Jimmy Page's "Stairway To Heaven."
I love Lynyrd Skynyrd's use of guitars in "Freebird" and a lot of Rory Gallagher tunes.
After watching a live show by Paul McCartney in Antwerp, Belgium, I wanted to learn an instrument. You might expect it to be a bass (like Paul McCartney usually plays), but I went for the guitar.
This love affair with the guitar has lasted until today.
Well, anyway, do you play guitar or enjoy listening to it?