Guitars are musical instruments that are members of the strings group.  Guitars are made of lightwood.  They have curved sides and a flat top.  Most guitars have six strings but some have four or twelve strings. The strings are fastened to the top of the bridge and tightened at the top of the neck where the tuning keys are on the head.

The guitar was invented in Africa but was brought to Europe by Antonio de Torres,
a Spanish guitar maker.  Antonio was the first person to make the modern guitar. Antonio was born in 1800 and died in 1865.
Researchers believe that similar instruments were used in ancient Egypt.
Modern guitars are used for all sorts of music.
Country music is a type of popular American music that was developed in southern United States during the 1800’s.  Country music combines traditional British and American music.  Country music was first recorded in the 1920’s.  About the same time radio stations started broadcasting country music on radio programs.   Radio and records greatly increased due to the popularity of country music. Country music is performed in a variety of styles. Old time music is the oldest style of country music. Country music has evolved into one of the important divisions in the music industry.

The instruments used in country music vary with each style, but stringed instruments are common to country bands. The stringed instruments that made up country music were the fiddle from Britain, the banjo from West Africa, the guitar from Spain, and the mandolin from Italy.

For centuries musicians have played the acoustic guitars, which produce sound from the vibration of the strings.  In the 1930’s electric guitars began to be produced commercially.  An electric guitar has an electromagnetic device that picks up string vibrations and translates them into electric impulses. An amplifier modifies the impulses and turns them back into sound and produces larger volumes of sound than an acoustic guitar.

The guitar is a popular stringed instrument. The guitar can accompany singers or be used as a solo instrument, or be used as part of an instrumental group. Guitarists can play chords by strumming the strings or they can play one note by plucking one string.

An acoustical guitar produces sound when a musician plucks or strums its six strings. Acoustical guitars are used in classical music and in folk music. They also provide accompaniment for dances, country music, and the blues.

Earnings for musicians vary greatly, depending on skill, reputation, geographic location, and type of music.  The type of music that is popular at a given time also affects income.  Musicians in a major U.S. orchestra earn a minimum salary of 140-1,200 dollars per week.  Popular musicians get paid per concert. The average salary of a professional guitarist is 30 to 300 dollars a night. Of course well known musicians make thousands even millions of dollars a year, but very few musicians achieve such earnings and fame.
 

Who I interveiwed and what I learned Who I Interviewed And What I Learned I interviewed Mary Durren on January 25, 2005 at Lince Elementary School.  She has been playing the guitar for 34 years.  Mary learned guitar from books and friends who played the guitar. Mrs. D plays the piano too.  She now teaches music to kids. Mary said when she was little she wanted just to be a teacher.  Mary thinks that in the future more people will play the guitar so when they’re bored they can entertain themselves or someone else. I want to thank Mrs. Durren for letting me interview her.  She gave me some great information.

Bibliography Bacon, Tony.  The Ultimate Guitar Book. New York: Guitar Inc. 1999 pp.1-50 Cosgrove, Holli R. (editor) “Guitar players.” Career Discovery Encyclopedia. 2000. Durren, Mary.  Personal Interview. January 25, 2005. Hendrix, Jimi. The New and Complete Guitarist. San Diego: Guitar works, 2000 Hunter, Dave and Bacon, Tony. Totally Guitar. New York: Publisher, 2000 http://www.wordbookonline.com

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