A guitar is a musical instrument that has a large flat-backed sound box, a long fretted neck and strings played by strumming or plucking. They can be made of wood or metal.
In North America and Western Europe, the guitar is probably the single most recognized instrument in popular culture. This is partly because they are accessible and because you can begin creating music almost immediately without extensive study. Also, they are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, portable and versatile. Guitarists can play a few chords to accompany a song, a melodic solo or a rhythmic beat. The guitar can be used with classical orchestras, dance bands, choirs, in nightclubs and around campfires. These durable instruments have become an icon of folk, blues, jazz, country, mariachi, tejano, rock and many other contemporary styles of music.
There are two main types of guitars: acoustic and electric. The acoustic type can be played without an amplifier, and electric guitars require amplification. There are also acoustic/electric guitars, acoustic guitars that can be hooked up to an amplifier. Most guitars have 6 strings, but there are also 12-string guitars and bass guitars that usually have 4 or 5 strings. Classical guitars generally use nylon strings while western, folk and electric guitars use steel strings. Because guitars come in such a variety of sizes, children can usually begin learning the acoustic guitar at age six or seven and the electric guitar by secondary school.
Famous guitar players include Les Paul, Andres Segovia, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Chet Atkins, Eddie Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, Jose Feliciano, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana, Doc Watson, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
