"The Spanish Guitar" Top 5 Page for this destination Spain Local Custom Tip by deecat

I have always loved classical guitar music, and the Spaniards play it well.

The most characteristic instrument of Spain, by the way, is the Spanish guitar. It is derived from the Roman cithara. It was brought to Spain around the time of Christ.

The Spanish guitar has gone through many forms before evolving into the instrument we see today. When the Moors were in charge of Spain, the Moorish musicians used a type of guitar that was rounded and resembled a lute. But, by the 16th century, there were all kinds of guitars being made and used. Some of these guitars had as few as four strings while others had as many as seven strings.

By the time the Spanish guitar started to resemble a large fiddle, it was commonly called vibuela de man[vee-HWAY-lah day MAHN-oh"]. This meant 'fiddle played by hand instead of bow".

After many years, the six-string guitar that has a large sound box and a long-fretted neck became the most popular guitar; it is the kind of Spanish guitar that is used today.

The Spanish guitar is one of three elements used in Flamenco; the other two are song and dance.

I think this particular guitar suits the Spaniards well...it emits impassioned sounds and rapid rhythms which go along with the Spanish Flamenco.