History and Influences of the GuitarMy article will discuss the history, culture and influences of the guitar through the ages. This will date back to the days of the lute and rebec, as they were all early stringed instruments related to the guitar family. This goes through the beginning of the instrument, through the different periods, and explains its importance in music. The guitar is a well-known instrument and a staple of the music industry across all musical genres. Through the sound of country and the heartbreaking solos of rock, the guitar is usually the glue to any major piece of music. To see how the guitar became a key element of music and a symbol of Americana, you will have to look at history. The guitar hasn't always been as important as it is in the 21st century. Its sister instruments were introduced in the 12th century, but the guitar itself cannot be traced back before the 15th century. “The guitar, another ancient instrument dating back at least to the Middle Ages, probably originating in the Middle East. » (Machlis p. 52). We can see the similarities through the early musical accompaniments. “The beginnings of the European guitar are unknown. Scholars disagree on whether the guitar, like the lute, was introduced to medieval Europe from the Middle East or whether it was indigenous to Europe” (Bouqet Web). The guitar was present until the 15th century, but before this date, its sister instruments gave rise to stringed instruments. Guitar-type instruments began to be used only for accompanied and impromptu parts of secular music. This was seen everywhere among minstrels and troubadours who used them to travel from town to town to perform. “Some of the early guitar styles... middle of paper ...... 1930s big band era; the Gibson Super 400 has been widely imitated. In 1952, Gibson introduced its first solid-body electric guitar, the Les Paul, which became its most popular guitar to date, designed by Ted McCarty and Les Paul” (Hall). Some modern guitar gods are John Mayer, John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert. These men maintained the legend thanks to the technicality of guitar playing. John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert are electric guitar gods who focus on playing mechanics, creating innovative new skills to master difficult songs. John Mayer is a personal favorite who has an important sound in the secular world of music with his slow electric and acoustic sounds. This will be demonstrated through some of my sources, including the musical recording of Baroque Music for Guitars. Overall, the general idea is the evolution of the guitar itself as an instrument..