Acoustic Guitars

The world of music went electric a long time ago but there will always be a place for acoustic guitars, especially in the hands of accomplished guitarists. Most musical genres are represented by the instrument, which has a long tradition and is popular in many cultures. Evolving from the lute, the guitar developed into the shape that we are familiar with today and uses steel strings.

There is a large repertoire of music in classical guitar, demanding a high ability of playing from the guitarist. Performers such as John Williams and Julian Bream have captivated audiences with their fluency on the instrument. The Spanish tradition of flamenco is also associated with acoustic guitars. The complicated rhythms, danced to by dancers in colorful costumes depend on the skill of the guitarist. The Spanish guitarist, Paco Pena has done more than anyone to popularize the art form outside his native country.

Many rock bands, even those involved in heavy metal and grunge, have used acoustic guitars very successfully. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin was a leading exponent, as were the Beatles and the Byrds. Page liked to play on a 12-string guitar, which boosted interest in the instrument. The popularity of unplugged sessions on the MTV network gave bands the opportunity to present alternative versions of their most well known songs. The grunge outfit Nirvana recorded their session in New York, resulting in a best selling album. During Oasis concerts, lead guitarist Noel Gallagher likes to play songs unaccompanied in an unplugged version.

It is very interesting to hear a loud, rock song, stripped down to its bare components and played in an acoustic fashion. Of course, all rock music can be traced back to other traditions. Folk, bluegrass, country and blues music all have their roots in the use of acoustic guitars. Many singer songwriters during the 1960s and 1970s developed fingerpicking techniques from the folk tradition. Some of these acoustic guitars enthusiasts raised the bar on musicianship in popular songs. They included Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne and Tim Buckley. Bob Dylan decided to go the opposite way and shocked the crowd at the Newport Folk Festival by picking up an electric guitar!

A lot of music is made with the aid of electronic wizardry and production techniques are sophisticated today, in comparison with the 4-track recording of yesteryear. However, acoustic music remains as popular as ever and there is a surge of interest in singer songwriters. Acoustic guitars are a big part of the appeal. Even the old lute has made a comeback! Sting recently had a hit with his album of songs played on the instrument.

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