guitare

The guitare, commonly known in English as the guitar, is a fretted string instrument that is played by plucking or strumming the strings with the fingers or a pick. It typically has six strings, although variants with seven or more exist. The instrument features a neck with frets, a resonant body, and a soundboard that projects sound. Most modern guitars are either hollow or solid-bodied, and many include pickups to enable amplified sound.

Origin and development: The modern guitar traces its roots to ancestors such as the Renaissance vihuela, the Baroque guitar, and related lute-family instruments. By the 19th century, the classical guitar established a standardized form with a wide, flat fingerboard and nylon strings, as refined by Spanish luthiers such as Antonio de Torres Jurado. The steel-string acoustic and the electric guitar emerged in the 20th century, expanding repertoire and genres worldwide.

Types and construction: Classical guitars use nylon strings and a wider neck; steel-string acoustics use steel strings and a smaller neck; electric guitars rely on magnetic pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals. Bodies come in various shapes, such as dreadnought and concert. Common tunings include standard EADGBE for many guitars and classical tuning for nylon-string instruments. Construction materials include spruce or cedar soundboards, and maple, mahogany, or rosewood for back and sides.

Playing and influence: The guitar is versatile across styles from classical to rock and pop. Mastery requires technique in fretting, picking, and rhythm. The instrument has had a major impact on music theory, recording technology, and popular culture, with a vast repertoire and extensive luthier craftsmanship.