Electric Guitar

Background of the electric guitar:
The move from the acoustic guitar to the electric guitar was one of the biggest movements in the history of music. Not only did it highlight the technological change that happened, but it also sparked a major shift in the social and musical discourses at the time. The electric guitar has evolved into an instrument that is capable of many different timbres, tempos, and rhythms.

What is it at as a technology:
Electric guitars are often made with magnetic coils, known as pick-ups, that are put near bridge convert vibrations of strings into an electrical signal, which is then converted to sound through an external amplifier and speaker system. The most common type of electric guitar used in heavy metal music is the Gibson Les Paul guitar, which is used in the song, “Welcome to the Jungle”. However, a different type of electric guitar, the Gibson SG electric guitar, was used in Ac/DC’s, “Thunderstruck”. Although the electric guitar is a simple instrument, it has influenced the music genre of heavy metal and rock in many different ways.

How has it influenced/ changed music:

The electric guitar is known to symbolize “rebellion, freedom, and excess and youth”. Rock music in the 1980s used synthesizers, keyboards, and new technology. Instead of limiting the use of the electric guitar, the shift in music allowed innovative guitarists to use the electric guitar and also many other instruments. Today, pop is not as popular with electric guitar virtuosos, but instead a way for artists to create a personal style. Jack White, an electric guitar hero, talks about his approach to the electric guitar today. White uses the electric guitar to combine blues and country music, and wrote one of the most famous songs of the 20th century, “Seven Nation Army” (Perth). Even though sales of the electric guitar have declined slightly, the instrument is still very influential in music today. Compared to a lot of music in the 1970s, guitar solos are not used as frequently in rock and heavy metal music. However, heavy metal and rock songs still include a fast tempo of the music. While it may seem like a majority of the heavy metal artists were made in the 20th century, the industry is still evolving and the electric guitar can be found in many songs today.

How can it be controversial:
While the electric guitar is a very popular instrument in music still to this day, the Washington Post has reported that there are declining sales in the US electric guitar industry, and manufacturers are concerned about its future in the music industry, and whether it will still continue to be used in music in the future (Perth). One reason why this is a concern is that there is said to be a lack of current “guitar heroes”. This is due to the fact that heavy metal rock music is not a genre of music that is topping the charts today. Mainstream music consists of hip-hop and rap genres and often, the electric guitar is not used in these aspects of music. Many people would argue that there are still plenty of talented guitar artists out there, but others would say that all guitar heroes were made in the 20th-century music industry. The unique rhythm that guitar heroes use in their different genre defines them and makes them the so-called “heroes”.