| According to an oft-quoted phrase we are all | | | | |
| adolescent intellectuals without history. So | | | | The Vihuela |
| it makes sense to explore the noble history | | | | |
| of classical guitar, which has travelled a | | | | The Renaissance five-string guitar. |
| long way only to carve a niche for itself in | | | | |
| the world of music globally. | | | | Some of the legendary names associated with |
| | | | the field of guitar are as follows |
| This history would be incomplete without | | | | |
| naming the legendary guitarist Luther Antonio | | | | Gaspar Sanz |
| de Torres (1817-1892) who made significant | | | | |
| changes in the construction of the newly | | | | Fernando Sor |
| framed modern version these guitars. He is | | | | |
| also considered as the founder of the modern | | | | Mauro Giuliani |
| classical guitar school. | | | | |
| | | | John Williams |
| This unique history can be traced back to the | | | | |
| Near East. The archaeologists found its | | | | Julian Bream |
| representation in myriad forms in the | | | | |
| excavations of Babylonia. Also referred to as | | | | The most accepted convention these days is to |
| a Spanish guitar, classical guitar heralds | | | | use the fingertips to play on the guitar. |
| from the family of instruments called | | | | However, in the bygone era it was the |
| chordophones. They have been a part of the | | | | prevelant custom to use flesh over nail to |
| ancient musical tradition for over 100 years. | | | | play the guitar. |
| | | | |
| Spanning over four centuries history | | | | Some of the renowned players who preferred |
| classical guitar has been a subject of great | | | | using fingertips over nail include- |
| debate and controversy. Many earlier | | | | |
| instruments also contributed a great deal in | | | | Fernando Sor |
| shaping its history. Many great players and | | | | |
| composers also contributed to an amazing | | | | Francisco Tarrega |
| extent in shaping up this amazing journey of | | | | |
| this popular instrument. | | | | Since, there is more space between the |
| | | | strings on a typical classical guitar it is |
| The popularity of the guitar was on the | | | | easier to handle it for amateurs. Some of the |
| downslide with the emergence of the piano in | | | | cardinal features of this popular instrument |
| the middle of the 19th century. Francisco | | | | are as follows- |
| Tarrega (1852-1909) initiated a whole new | | | | |
| style of playing which added a new definition | | | | It uses nylon strings. |
| to the entire history of the classical | | | | |
| guitar. | | | | It generally makes use of a rich colour |
| | | | palette. |
| Some of the earlier instruments, which shaped | | | | |
| the history are as follows | | | | Hogging the musical scene globally classical |
| | | | guitars are a player's delight. With changing |
| Renaissance guitar | | | | times it has undoutedly evolved a lot. |
| | | | Technologial advancements may have given |
| Baroque guitar | | | | guitars a backseat with newer instruments |
| | | | like synthesizers hogging the limelight these |
| The size and shape has been the same over 100 | | | | days. But, still the old guitar has retained |
| years.The modern version of the ancient | | | | all its alluring charm and reigns supreme |
| guitars has evolved over the following few | | | | over other classical instruments which have |
| sources | | | | made the entire musical journey all the more |
| | | | enticing for the listeners through ages. |
| The Lute | | | | |