The electric guitar is a modern instrument with surprisingly deep roots. It is the most popular instrument in popular music (aside from voice, of course) and it’s difficult to go one day without hearing one, whether that be on the radio, a concert, or overhearing someone playing it.

I am a music lover - I play the electric guitar as well as the piano and love listening to all kinds of music. I’m interested in researching the electric guitar, first by looking into the guitar I play every day, how I acquired it, why I play it, its effect on my life, and then I’d like to take a broader perspective and look at its design, its history, and its effect on society. I will investigate famous musicians and research how their music has popularized the electric guitar in modern society and try to explain how and why it has become one of the most popular instruments today. Is it its ease of use? How does its design contribute to this ease of use? Is it its unique sound that is easy to manipulate? How has its portability contributed to its popularity? Is it more popular than its predecessor, the acoustic guitar?

Why did I choose to play the electric guitar?

Who Invented the Electric Guitar?

Factors Contributing to its Popularity

• Portability
• Versatility
• Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master
• Customizable Appearance
• [Cultural Connotation]

Case Studies in Electric Guitar History

• Eric Clapton
• Led Zeppelin
• Jimi Hendrix

Sources - Josh Liptzin

Josh Liptzin

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Posted at Feb 22/2006 01:37PM:
[klfsong]: What makes the electric guitar a classic instrument though its music is often generational?