The History of the Guitar and its Music
Last UpDate October 2005
The origin of the guitar is not certain, but it can be traced back to ancient Egypt (3000 B.C), where it is
believed to have begun as the lyra, an ancient string instrument. Over the centuries, the lyra underwent many
transformations and assumed many forms, including the medieval lute, finally reaching Spain where it gradually
developed into the guitar as we know it today.
There are two hypotheses concerning the guitar's origin an development : (a) - that it started as a lute in
Assyria, passed through Egypt, Persia and Arabia, and finally reached Spain around the 8th century, - and (b)
- that in accordance with (a), the Assyrian Ketharah and the Greek Kitara gradually became the
Citara-Roman which was subsequently improved and renamed the Rotta or Chrotta. Then, in 16th century
Spain, it became the Vihuela - the guitar's closest relative.
Two forms of guitar were preavalent during the 12th century in Spain; the Guitarra Latina, which is
reputedly
a derivation of Greek and Roman instruments, and the Guitarra Morisca which is said to have been handed
down from Arabia. The former had four single strings, was somewhat similiar to today's guitar, and was
commonly played in the graceful punteado style. The latter was an oval shaped instrument with a rounded
back
and several double, and sometimes triple, strings. The guitarra morisca was played in rougher rasgueado
style.
The vihuela, which appeared in Spain in the 16th century, also took on several forms; the vihuela de mano,
played with the fingers; the vihuela de arco, played with a bow; and vihuela de plectro, played with a
plectrum. The present day guitar is a direct
descendant of the vihuela de mano.
The 2nd through 6th strings of the vihuela are multiple and the 1st string is single. The most common tuning is
G-C-F-A-D'-G' (6th to 1st). This would be the same as lowering the 3rd string a half tone in standard guitar
tuning with a capo at the 3rd fret.