24th Annual Student Research Conference
A Consideration of the Evolution and Popularity of the Guitar Throughout History: From the Middle-Eastern Oud and the European Lute to the Guitar's Modern-Day Form
Yazan N. Alghalith
Prof. Shirley McKamie, Faculty Mentor
The guitar is a highly prominent instrument in the popular music of today. A survey of its expansive history reveals how it has achieved this popularity: through a history of continuous evolution, covering a wide geographical region. Two of its ancestors, the oud and the lute, have enjoyed widespread usage throughout Europe and the Middle East for thousands of years. Used by everyone from royalty and professionals to amateurs and the poor, the guitar has also enjoyed a wide base of popularity. Additionally, it is an instrument that has been continually evolving, which has allowed for a truly adaptable experience in performance. Recent amplification advancements and cheap instruments have boosted the guitar into popular culture and into the hands of millions of aspiring players.
Keywords: Guitar, Oud, Lute, Evolution
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 12-1
Location: OP 2117
Time: 8:00