How it all Began: The Origin of Guitar

Recently I came accross an article which sheds light on the origin of Guitar: A stringed musical instrument. I thought I would share:

The guitar actually has a mixed heritage, but the origins of the modern instrument can be traced back to Spain. In fact, the word "guitar" is derived from the Spanish word "guitarra." Of course, for many beginning players, the last thing they really want to know is the history of the guitar. In reality, however, knowing the origins of the guitar, as well as its extensive history, can help players develop a deeper respect for the instrument. In addition, knowing how the guitar has evolved helps players understand the construction of the modern guitar.

Sometime around 40 AD, the Romans made their entrance into Spain, or Hispania as it was called. With the Romans came a musical instrument known as a cithara. The cithara was a type of lyre, but it was typically played by professional musicians. It had a wooden sounding box made of two tables connected by ribs. Above the box was a tuning bar, and the strings were stretched from the tuning bar to a tail piece on the box. Notes were played by strumming strings with one hand, while using the other hand to deaden the unwanted strings.

In the 8th century AD, the Moors entered Hispania from the south. The Moors brought an instrument called an oud. The pear-shaped body of the oud was flat on the front, and bowl-shaped on the back, and it usually had more than one sounding hole. At that time, the most common oud had only four strings, and the neck was not fretted. Tuning was accomplished by turning the keys on the pegboard. Both the oud and the cithara were played with a pick, although the oud could also be played by slide and vibrato.

Eventually, the cithara and the oud were combined into two instruments: the Moorish guitar and the Latin guitar. The Moorish guitar retained the rounded back, multiple sound holes and wide fingerboard of the oud. The Latin guitar, on the other hand, had a more narrow neck, a flat back and one sound hole. Despite having only four strings, the Latin guitar of the 11th century is clearly the predecessor of the modern guitar.

Music CHANGES Life !!!

This is true that music can bring tremendous change in one's life. I came across this beautiful testimony and guitar lessons from Claude Johnson; also a great testimony of Country Superstar Randy Travis; thought I would share with you. 

http://www.gospelguitarcourse.com/main.php?e=&l=&r=0

Gospel Music of Country Superstar 'Randy Travis' is Changing Lives - (An inspired article)

He's had 22 'Number One' Country Songs, with his most recent being a gospel song. He is one of the most popular singers in country-music history. Few country singers ever have 22 'Number One' singles, and the music of Randy Travis has been loved by millions of fans for years. Today Randy Travis spends a lot of time singing gospel music, and his music is having a bigger impact on lives than his country hits ever did. After listening to his music, some are giving up drugs and alcohol, and many are turning to a faith in Jesus Christ. Before he became a superstar, Randy Travis had his share of problems-both as far as his dreams of being a country singer and with the law. His father, Harold Traywick, (His record studio asked Travis to change his name from Traywick) forced Randy to take guitar lessons. He did go to church some as a child, but Randy Travis was not a believer.

Randy dropped out of high school. He was arrested for various offenses, including car theft and burglary. He had problems with alcohol and drugs. He only avoided going to prison for a long time by promising he was not keeping company with the same crowd, a promise he was not drinking or taking drugs-and by moving in with his manager, Liv, who later became his wife. Her marriage to another man was already falling apart, and later ended in divorce. At the time, Randy Travis did not have a personal faith, but he did begin to have a successful career.

Starting in 1985 he began to have a string of hits, including 22 number one hits. While most of his number one hits were in the 1980's, he did have five in the 1990's and one in 2002, with a gospel song, "Three Wooden Crosses". Some of his other 'Number One' songs have included on the Other Hand, Diggin' Up Bones, Forever and Ever Amen, Deeper than the Holler, Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart, Look Heart, No Hands; and Whisper My Name.