Guitar: The Shape of Sound (100 Iconic Designs)

Every guitar enthusiast, and guitarists too, cannot ignore it. It is a magnificent book (Guitar: The Shape of Sound (100 Iconic Designs)) in which 100 types of guitars are described, along with the artists who use them. Well-known guitars such as the Fender and Gibson are naturally included. But the lesser-known ones (to me) are also discussed in detail. What do you know about the history of the guitar and the artists who use them?

History

One of the predecessors of the modern guitar was the kithara (gitara), an instrument used by the ancient Greeks. How that instrument later became known in Spain is unclear. Possibly a lute from Mesopotamia was brought to this country by the Moors, or a Roman zither, to which a neck would then have been added. It was not yet a guitar as we know them today, but it already bore a very strong resemblance to one. The success of both the Spanish Vihuela da mano, six courses (six double strings), and the Italian Renaissance guitar, four courses (four double strings), contributed to the development of the guitarra española. This richly decorated Baroque guitar, strung with five double strings, originated in Spain around the end of the 16th century. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]               Around 1780, a sixth pair of strings was added to the Spanish guitarMost six-string guitars in Spain were built in Cádiz. Almost simultaneously, the six courses were doubled, first in France and Italy; Spain followed much later. The string tension was also increased. This was then called the six-string 'romantic guitar', with its typical mustache-shaped bridge. In the 19th century, mechanical tuning pegs were added. Around 1884, Antonio de Torres Jurado built the first guitar that differed little in form and construction principles from the 'classical guitar' as we know it today.   Not only in Spain but also in most other Western European countries, this instrument was played in aristocratic circles, where it was, incidentally, more appreciated than in Spain itself. Guitarists such as Robert de Visée and Francesco Corbetta were permanently associated with the court of Louis XIV. Their music collections were dedicated to the king who, like his daughters, was also an avid guitar player himself. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]             In the 18th century, Vienna and Paris were the most important guitar centers where guitar virtuosos such as Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Sor were active. Contemporary guitar techniques are entirely based on the work of guitarists such as Francisco Tárrega and Emilio Pujol. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]         In the 20th century, the (classically trained) guitarists in Spain have Andres Segovia en Narciso Yepes – followed by Alexandre Lagoya and Ida Presti in Paris and Julian Bream and John Williams in England – ensured the major breakthrough. The Concierto de Aranjuez by the composer Joaquín Rodrigo is also known to a large audience. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]                 [/one_half_last] Did you have this painting from Johannes Vermeer – the guitar player (ca 1670 – 1672) seen during the Rijksmuseum exhibition?  

Famous guitarists

Jimi Hendrix (1942 – 1970)

Whether you are looking for emotion or technique, Jimi Hendrix is ​​considered the undisputed master of the guitar today. A self-taught genius, experimenter, incredible soloist and melodist, he virtually invented and reinvented the world of rock and blues, remaining an inspiration to both big names and aspiring guitarists, all of whom have covered 'Voodoo Child' at some point.

He also opened the doors for left-handed guitarists by showing them that they too could master a musical instrument and make something unforgettable out of it. In the same way that a 'southpaw' boxer like Manny Pacquiao achieved incredible things in the ring, the gifted left-handed guitarist Jimi Hendrix pushed guitar playing to the highest level.

What truly made him special was that, unlike other guitarists of his time who stuck to a single playing style, Jimi combined styles and strummed alongside licks and other additions to create a fuller and more organic sound. Amazingly, he also used his thumb to create a moving baseline while playing chords—he wanted to do what no other guitarists did or could do, and he succeeded.

The way he dressed up his chords with so many different sounds and rhythms only shows how natural Jimi Hendrix was. His guitar was like an extension of his body, a part of his left hand that knew no boundaries. He was part of the iconic Club27 group of musicians who all died at the age of 27, including Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Brian Jones.  

Eric Clapton (1945 – present)

Eric Clapton, known to fans as 'God', is one of the most famous rock and blues guitarists who is still active for nearly 50 years. This British rocker pushed the boundaries of rock and blues. He is a great soloist and iconic melodist who simply knows how to play everything. He is also known as 'Slow Hand' and is a true virtuoso. Big hits like 'Cocaine' or 'I Shot the Sheriff' brought him the worldwide success that secured him a definitive place in the canon of guitar heroes. His talent manifests itself in solos (we are thinking of the MTV album 'Unplugged') as well as through collaborations with artists such as Phil Collins or Mick Jones and performances in groups such as The Yardbirds and The Cream. He is also the idol of countless students taking guitar lessons. One of Eric Clapton's most striking talents as a guitarist is his fluidity. A singer and a guitarist, the star hears the songs he plays from both perspectives, yet weaves them together very smoothly. This is an artist who has the fire and can raise the heat whenever he wishes. Now at seventy, Clapton is still on stage and shows few signs of slowing down or lowering the standard he set for himself during his early solo career with his band Cream. Whether playing alone or with a group, everyone agrees that the guitar takes center stage. He manages to create this extraordinary yet controlled sound that cleverly incorporates distortion, finger vibrato, and spontaneous chord playing, all coming together to create magic.

The fact that his guitar playing is so relevant today and is still loved by generations (even those who weren't even born at the height of his success!) is proof that Eric Clapton is a guitar hero in the eyes of many people. Who can forget him, with just his guitar, singing about his deceased son in 'Tears in Heaven'. Pure goosebumps. Discover some of Slowhand's sexy songs for guitar, such as Layla or Wonderful Tonight. [one_half] [/ One_half] [one_half_last]                 [/ One_half_last] George Harrison (1943 – 2001) placed a Hare krishna postage stamp on the headstock of Eric Clapton's famous guitar – the red one Gibson ES-335 which he played his entire career until he auctioned it for charity to benefit his Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a residential care center dedicated to the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. "I think this is the star of the show," said Clapton prior to the 2004 Crossroads Guitar Auction at Christie's, where it sold for $847.500. Although the guitar was 40 years old when Clapton sold it, it was in remarkably good condition. Even the Hare Krishna stamp that George Harrison had placed on the back of the headstock was still in good condition. "A lot of hard work went into it," said Clapton. "It was on many albums, went everywhere, and was played regularly over the years, but it never got old or worn out or lost anything. It is amazing that it has been preserved in this condition. I would still play it today." Gibson produced a reissue of the guitar – an exact replica, numbered 250 – complete with the Hare Krishna stamp.  

Robert Johnson (1911 – 1938)

In fewer than 29 songs, this blues guitar genius had a major impact on this musical genre and on rock guitar. Legend has it that he sold his soul to the devil himself to acquire talent for guitar playing: many blues players mocked his incompetence before he disappeared and returned with immense talent.

His death was equally mysterious, and heightened the legend surrounding this atypical man. But one thing is clear: even though little has been written about him, the young Robert Johnson, alias 'The Genius', revolutionized the world of the blues and earned worldwide recognition.  

Hank Williams (1923 – 1953)

Hiram King (Hank) Williams Sr. (1923–1953) was an American country singer and singer-songwriter. Despite his short lifespan, he is one of the most successful artists. He died at the age of 29 from an overdose of morphine and alcohol. Williams secured a record deal with MGM Records through Fred Rose, and his first release, "Move It On Over," became a hit on the country and pop charts. The blend of hillbilly, boogie-woogie, and blues, with the input of session musicians with a jazz background, proved commercially successful. Williams became increasingly famous in the second half of the 1940s. His gospel hit "I Saw the Light" from 1948 would later be covered by many fellow artists. However, Williams' behavior brought problems with it. He had an alcohol addiction and frequently failed to show up for concerts or arrived late. Audrey Mae Shephard filed for divorce, and Fred Rose also distanced himself from him. The success of his singles also diminished somewhat. Around 1949, Williams tried to get his life back on track. The relationship with Shephard improved, and he also resumed working with Rose. In the meantime, however, he became addicted to morphine. That same year, 'Lovesick Blues' was released, marking Williams' major breakthrough and the first of twelve American number 1 hits. The song remained at number one on the US charts for four months. He also had international success and toured briefly through Europe and Japan.  

Woody Guthrie (1912 – 1967)

Woodrow Wilson (Woody) Guthrie (1912–1967) was a prolific and influential American folk singer, guitarist, banjo and harmonica player, who left behind a wealth of songs, folk poems, and articles, many of a political nature. In one of his songs, he calls himself 'The Great Historical Bum,' but he was also a genuine direct observer, commentator, and survivor of the political, economic, and ecological disasters caused by the so-called Dust Bowl in the Great Plains states during the Great Depression.  

Rock And Roll

The first rock 'n' roll songs were recorded by African American artists such as Chuck Berry (1926 – 2017). He is one of the pioneers of rock 'n' roll. He was simultaneously a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and a true source of inspiration for other iconic artists such as Elvis ‘The King’ PresleyHe revolutionized music by combining two different guitar styles that sounded like a mix of blues and country. It was because of this that Berry was able to convey his style to everyone. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]             Unfortunately, although his lyrics and performances were positively received, the artist himself was not so easy to deal with. It was said that he was quite difficult to handle, but that didn't stop his band. A sign of complete confidence in what they achieved together. And so rock was born; all you have to do is listen to his famous song 'Johnny B. Goode'. He is the pioneer of music as we know it today and, as such, he absolutely deserves his place in our top 10 best guitarists in the world.  

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977)

Presley's first single, That's All Right, was released in July 1954. This was followed in January 1956 by Heartbreak Hotel, a US number 1 hit. After a series of successful television appearances and records that reached the top of the sales charts, he came to be regarded as the most prominent figure of rock and roll. His energetic interpretations of songs and sexually provocative stage performances, combined with a remarkably appealing fusion of multi-ethnic influences that coincided with the rise of the civil rights movement, made him simultaneously enormously popular and controversial. The America immediately following World War II experienced significant economic growth, with youth having more disposable income. Individual self-development gradually became more important, giving rise to a youth culture with various subcultures that rebelled against the older generation. Presley was the embodiment of this and thus became the first pop idol.

In November 1956, he made his acting debut in the film Love Me Tender. In 1958, he was drafted into the military. Two years later, he resumed his recording career and produced some of his most commercially successful work, before dedicating the majority of the 1960s to making films and accompanying soundtrack albums, most of which were panned by critics. After seven years without live performances, he returned to the stage in 1968 in the television comeback special Elvis, which resulted in a long series of concerts in Las Vegas and a series of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley performed in the first concert broadcast worldwide via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii. Prolonged drug abuse ruined his health, and he died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. He was buried on August 18, 1977, two days after his death.  

B.B. King (1925 – 2015)

Riley Ben King (1925 – 2015), better known as BB King, was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. On December 15, 2006, BB King received the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. BB King is regarded as one of the greatest blues artists of all time. The music magazine Rolling Stone ranked King third on a list of the 100 greatest guitarists. His most famous hit is his 1970 cover of 'The Thrill Is Gone'.

BB (for Blues Boys) King is the master of the blues in New Orleans. He is a true legend in guitar history. Although certainly less technical than Stevie Ray Vaughan, he wrote countless classics of the genre ('Sweet Little Angel', 'Sweet Sixteen'), completing his songs with a rich voice full of emotion and his characteristic vibrato. Thanks to his inimitable style, which gives the guitar a real personality, BB King has influenced guitar greats such as Clapton and Hendrix. With a single note, he can tell a story that touches the deepest depths of the human soul.  

Keith Richards (1943 – present)

One of the leading members of the famous The Rolling Stones, along with Mick Jagger, is still one of the most talented rock guitarists today. He is called The Human Riff and is known for his extreme simplicity. For him, it is preferable to have 'two notes that sound good rather than virtuosity,' and the music he played was meant to 'kill' people. Richards was famous for bringing dark and sinister sounds into their songs that gave them their identity. His obsession with sound and his personal playing technique (thanks to his 5-string guitar with open tuning in G) ranks him as one of the best rhythmic guitarists of all time. Although not necessarily one of the technical greats, his chord playing conveys so much emotion that it seems as if the guitar sings the notes. He has written and composed rock classics such as 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', 'Satisfaction', and 'Paint It Black'.

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

Guitar: The Shape of Sound (100 Iconic Designs): https://www.phaidon.com/store/design/guitar-the-shape-of-sound-100-iconic-designs-9781838665586/  

Book in the media:

Trouw, Zeitgeist, March 18, 2023: https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/een-gitaar-voor-het-leven-en-soms-langer-als-een-gitaar-niet-lekker-ruikt-speel-ik-er-niet-op~b49a31e7/? Khalid and Sophie, March 24, 2023: https://www.bnnvara.nl/khalidensophie/artikelen/we-vieren-de-gitaar  

Finally, the best song?

While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a song written by George Harrison (1943–2001) of The Beatles. It appeared on the double LP The Beatles (also known as The White Album). The song is ranked 135th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and seventh on their list of 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.

Harrison was inspired to write this song when he read the 'I Ching'. According to Harrison, this book was based on the Eastern concept that everything is interdependent ('seemed to me to be based on the Eastern concept that everything is relative to everything else'), in contrast to the Western view that everything is merely coincidental ('…opposed to the Western view that things are merely coincidental'). With this relativistic idea, he went to his parents' house in the north of England. There, he decided to write a song based on the first words he would read as soon as he opened any random book. These words were 'gently weeps', and he immediately began writing the song.

The Beatles recorded the song several times, including a version with a backward guitar solo (in the same style as in I'm Only Sleeping on the 1966 album Revolver). However, Harrison was not satisfied with this version. On September 6, 1968, during a drive from Surrey to London, Harrison asked Eric Clapton if he wanted to add a guitar solo to the song. Initially, Clapton refused: 'Nobody ever plays on the Beatles' records'. Harrison managed to convince him nonetheless, and the solo was recorded that same evening. Harrison later said that Clapton's presence had a stimulating effect on the band: 'It made them all try a bit harder; they were all on their best behavior.' Music video The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp7dMLeSTT0