Classical Guitar History

At the end of the Baroque period courses were replaced by single strings and a sixth string was added. The early guitar was small, narrow and less resonant than today's instrument. 

Manual Torres changed the design and construction of the guitar through experimentation.  He once built a guitar with a wooden top and paper mache back and sides. This was to prove his theory that it was the top that produced most of the volume.  He is considered by many to be the 'father' of the modern guitar' (although many would ascribe such a title to Andreas Segovia!)

During the classical period there were many composers and performers of classical guitar. Fernando Sor, Mauro Guilliani, Matteo Carcassi, Fernando Carulli and others wrote music, published methods and performed concerts to great public interest.

At the end of the 19th century the guitar lost popularity but was re-introduced to the world by the likes of Francisco Tarrega & Andres Segovia.  They began the tradition adopted by almost all classical guitarists today of picking strings with the fingernails.

Timeline

• 1265 - First mention of "guitar" in historical records.

• 1546 - First music for the guitar is published.

• 1600-1650 - The guitar's popularity begins to rival the lute's.

• 1770-1800 - A sixth string is added and the courses replaced by single strings.

• 1800-1850 - The guitar becomes popular throughout Europe. Sor and contemporaries begin teaching, writing and performing on the guitar.

• 1850-1892 - Manual Torres makes improvements on body structure of the instrument.

• 1916 - The first performance by guitar in a concert hall (Segovia).

• 1946 - Nylon strings replace gut strings on most instruments.