Shape From the 15th Century to Present Day The Moors brought the oud with them when they invaded Southern Spain in 711 AD. Lamech was apparently inspired to design the shape of the instrument, known as an oud, after hanging the body of his dead son from a tree. Many say that a man known as Lamech, who was Noah’s grandfather and the sixth grandson of Adam and Eve, designed the Arab precursor to the guitar. The history of the guitar generally goes back to two instruments, the oud and the lute, which predate written history. Shape of the Guitar From Prehistory Through the Middle Ages Holding a kithara is similar to holding a guitar, and musicians would often use the early equivalent of a guitar strap with an over-the-shoulder band. Solo musicians would sometimes pluck the strings with the fingers of both hands. The player would use his or her left-hand fingers to dampen unwanted strings and, at times, stop the strings or produce harmony with their left hand. The ancient musician typically played the strings with a plectrum, which is an early version of the modern pick. The instrument originally had three strings running from the crossbar to its lower end, passing over a bridge on the soundboard later versions had as many as 12 strings. Two hollow arms, connected by a crossbar, extended from the resonator. This instrument had a wooden soundboard and box-shaped body, or resonator. Mythology attributes Hermes with creating the first kithara from a tortoise shell, but many likenesses of Apollo show him with this instrument. The word “guitar” probably comes from the ancient Greek word κιθάρα ( kithara ). The exact origin of the guitar is still a mystery.
Many don’t realize that the guitar – or some version of it – has existed since the dawn of time. YouTube stars of today shred the guitarwith innovative, mind-blowing riffs and licks that are changing music forever.