The question of “when was the guitar invented?” is more complex than it initially seems. The modern guitar as we know it today is the result of centuries of evolution and refinement, with roots stretching back to ancient civilizations. Pinpointing a precise date for the guitar’s invention is challenging because its development was a gradual process, with various stringed instruments contributing to its lineage. Instead of a single moment of invention, the guitar’s history is a fascinating journey through time, shaped by different cultures and musical traditions.
Ancient Ancestors: Lute-like Instruments in Mesopotamia and Egypt (3000 BCE Onwards)
To understand the origins of the guitar, we must look back to some of the earliest stringed instruments in history. Archaeological evidence reveals that lute-like instruments existed thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. A cylinder seal dating back to the Uruk period in Southern Mesopotamia (circa 3000 BCE), now housed in the British Museum, depicts a female musician playing a long-necked, lute-like instrument. This image provides some of the oldest visual evidence of instruments that share characteristics with the guitar’s ancestors.
These early stringed instruments were not confined to Mesopotamia. Variations of long and short-necked lutes appeared throughout ancient Egypt and were played by cultures across the Mediterranean and Middle East, including Sumerians, Akkadians, Persians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Armenians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans. Examples of these instruments can be found in museums worldwide, depicted on clay tablets and papyrus. These ancient lutes laid the groundwork for future stringed instrument development, eventually leading to instruments that more closely resemble the guitar.
Medieval Developments: From Guitarra Latina and Morisca to the Guitar (500-1400 AD)
Moving forward in history, the medieval period in Europe saw significant developments in stringed instruments. During this time (500 – 1400 AD), instruments resembling guitars with 3, 4, and 5 strings were already in use. Two notable instruments from this era are the Guitarra Latina and the Guitarra Morisca. The Guitarra Latina, believed to have originated elsewhere in Europe before arriving in Spain, featured curved sides, a characteristic that would later be seen in guitars. The Guitarra Morisca, introduced to Spain by the Moors, had an oval soundbox and multiple sound holes.
These medieval instruments represent a crucial step in the evolution towards the guitar. While not yet the modern six-string guitar, they showcase the ongoing development and diversification of stringed instruments in Europe. Historical records from 1349 mention the Duke of Normandy employing musicians who played instruments known as Guiterre Morische (Moorish Guitar) and Guitarra Latina (Latin Guitar). It is believed that the Guitarra Latina, in particular, played a direct role in the eventual development of the guitar as we know it today.
The Oud and Lute’s Role in Guitar History (711 AD Onwards)
Another significant influence on the guitar’s history is the oud. The oud, a pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument, was likely introduced to Western Europe by the Moors in 711 AD when they established a caliphate in the Iberian Peninsula. While lute-like instruments may have existed in the region before, the Moors’ arrival and their sophisticated musical culture significantly popularized the oud. The European lute, in fact, evolved directly from the oud.
The lute, derived from the oud, became a prominent instrument in Europe. Unlike the oud, the lute incorporated frets, typically made of tied gut. The construction techniques of the oud and lute, with their stave-built backs and spruce tops, also share similarities with later guitar construction. The word “luthier,” meaning stringed instrument maker, itself comes from the French word “luth,” highlighting the lute’s importance in the lineage of stringed instruments and its connection to guitar making.
Conclusion
In conclusion, answering “when was the guitar invented?” requires understanding that the guitar is not a singular invention but rather the result of a long and complex evolution. While we cannot point to a specific date, we can trace the guitar’s ancestry back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where lute-like instruments first appeared. The medieval period, with instruments like the Guitarra Latina and Guitarra Morisca, marks a more direct step in the guitar’s development. Influences from the oud and the lute further shaped the instrument’s evolution. Therefore, the guitar’s invention is not a single event but a continuous process of adaptation and refinement spanning centuries, making it a truly global and historically rich instrument.
