Spanish Guitar: Medieval Heritage

The term "Spanish guitar" was not given to the guitar because Spanish music is played on it. The real cause is the instrument's origin. However, this particular style of guitar is called different names as well. Other commonly used names are "classical guitar" or "gut string guitar" but there's no doubt that regardless of its name, it is one of the most recognizable instruments worldwide and one with the greatest stories to be told.

Its history begins about 5000 years ago when a more ancestral type of guitar was played. This instrument evolved into the lute, vihuela, then the renaissance brought the five string guitar, the baroque musical era brought with it the baroque guitar and influenced by these instruments the Spanish guitar was born.

The renaissance era brought a new flow of ideas, innovation and cultural trends. This paved the way for the creation of new instruments like the five string guitar or gittern, and the vihuela which was created in Spain and was made from six double strings tuned similarly to the Spanish guitar. The baroque guitar was developed in Italy afterwards eventually giving birth to the Spanish guitar.

A curious fact is that some of the music intended for Spanish guitar was initially written to be played in the guitar's predecessors such as the baroque guitar and the vihuela. The Spanish guitar is an instrument so versatile, that it is possible to play in it music originally written for violin, cello or even sometimes piano.

The instrument's popularity grew with time. There aren't records of music written specifically for Spanish guitar until the late 18^th century but it was until the 19^th century when the Spanish guitar really took off and the Spanish genre was established. Compositors as Francisco Tarrega, and later on Isaac Albeniz or Piazzola were crucial to impulse the growth of Spain as an emerging musical force.

Francisco Tarrega did not write only classical guitar pieces, but he also incorporated some aspects of flamenco that later on became very popular in the Spanish community and the whole world. This allowed Spain to gain a huge reputation in the musical field as well as expand its musical influence throughout the world.

The influence of this instrument can be easily seen today. The guitar is perhaps the most common and widely known instrument in the whole world. It has influences many of the greatest musicians, as well as children, rock stars and people in many countries.