Evolution of the Electric Guitar

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Innovations are put forth everyday but few leave a lasting effect on their field. Whether it is the combustion engine in transportation, television in entertainment or the electric guitar in music. It is difficult to turn on the radio or any music player and avoid the ubiquity of the guitar. It has had a continuous reign on the music industry for the past century and is becoming even more popular with the addition of endless overdrive effects. The origin of this amazing instrument can be traced back hundreds of years and countless miles. Along the way many new additions were implemented. Some of which are featured in every guitar produced nowadays, including scoops, cutaways, and sound holes. The sound hole is the hole in the center in which the sound travels through, the number and size can vary based on what sort of sound needed. Scoops are the flexed indents on the sides on which the guitars rests on the players leg, and a cutaway is a portion of the base of the neck that looks like it has been removed for easier access to the higher frets. Many variations of the electric guitar have been produced to this day and each one has had an effect on its progression and impact in the realm of musical instruments The new era in plectral instruments began in Iberia, Spain in the mid 15th century with the creation of the vihuela (Bellow). The vihuela was practically a flat backed lute with six paired strings, which were most commonly plucked at the same time. Since there was no machined production at the time, many vihuelas were unique to whoever built them, the number of sound ports, shape, or neck varied. However, a majority of them had the same build and concept of a modern guitar. These were the one of the first instrument to feature... ... middle of paper ... ...istory of Jazz | Black History in America | Scholastic.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm "Martin Guitar." Chapter 2: From the Beginning. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. http://www.martinguitar.com/about-martin/the-martin-story/dreadnought-story.html?id=183 "Red Alder." The Wood Database. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. http://www.wood- database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/red-alder/ Tianen, Dave. "Chasing Sound." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/les-paul/chasing- sound/100/ Yanow, Scott. "Charlie Christian." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/charlie-christian- mn0000805930/biography Yanow, Scott. "Eddie Durham." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/eddie-durham-mn0000142845

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