Evolution of the Guitar

By mckayla3205
  • 1900 BCE

    Oldest Guitar

    The oldest piece of evidence of the existence of the guitar dates back to about 1900 or 1800 BCE. Clay plaques were found in Babylonia that showed nude figures playing instruments that seemed to have a close resemblance to the guitar.
  • 400 BCE

    Roman Construction

    The Romans began to develop the instrument into the guitar we know today. They constructed the entire instrument out of wood to make it stronger.
  • 30 BCE

    New Development

    A new development of the instrument was found in an Egyptian tomb and was described as sides that had deeper curves, a flat back, and two surfaces that "were attached to each other with strips of wood that form the sides of the sound box"(Faze).
  • 1200

    First European Stringed Instrument

    The first known European stringed instrument dates back to the third century and had "round sound box that tapers into a wide neck, similar to the lute". A second instrument called the "Carolingian instrument" was a "rectangular shaped instrument with strings"(Faze).

  • Seventeenth Century

    The guitar started gaining popularity and King Louis XIV played it and considered it his favorite instrument causing the number of composers, guitarists, and guitar-makers to increase.

  • Eighteenth Century

    Germany had become active in the music community causing the number of composers, guitarists, and guitar-makers to increase even further. In France, the guitar become more popular as more people adopted the instrument.

  • Nineteenth Century

    The guitar has reached its peak, rising in all parts of Europe and also in the American Continent. Provided the Industrial Revolution, musicians were able to travel which led to concert tours.

  • Twentieth Century

    This was the century where the guitar had reached its full potential and the development of media communications had progressed and contributed to the exposure of the instrument.

  • 21st Century

    The technology of guitars has expanded immensely and is perhaps the most popular instrument today. There are many types of guitars like electric, bass, steel, acoustic, and many more.