THE ELECTRIC GUITAR
The very first
The first electric guitar was made By Adolph Rickenbacker in the USA in 1931. It was called a "Frying Pan" because it was made of aluminium. The "Frying Pan" was played horizontally, on a person's lap (much like today's steel guitar).Experts say that it sounded quite modern and aggressive. Like most new things the electric guitar had its critics who said that the instrument had no future. But the electric guitar quickly won people over because it allowed musicians to play much more creatively and expressively.
A Symbol of Rebellion
In the 1950s, the electric guitar became rock'n'roll's main instrument. Musicians like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley introduced a new style and attitude, and young people wanted to look like them. For the first time teenagers started wearing jeans, T-shirts and leather jackets. The electric guitar became a symbol of freedom, independence and rebellion.
Guitar stars
In the 1960s, electric guitarists in British groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became the superstars of rock. Teenagers imitated them. They stood in front of mirrors and used tennis racquets as guitars. With mass production of guitars, people could finally buy them.
New Sounds
Live performances in large halls and open-air concerts demanded volume and spectacular effects, and musicians started experimenting with their guitars. George Harrison of the Beatles and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds started playing 12-string guitars. Jimi Hendrix, considered by many to be the greatest ever rock guitarist, experimented with the Fender electric guitar to make strange and original sounds.
Hendrix was famous for throwing his guitars, smashing them and setting them on fire. He said, "Sometimes I jump on my guitar, and sometimes I play the guitar with teeth". In 1969, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin introduced a way of playing the guitar with a violin bow. He also started playing the double-neck guitar (instead of using two instruments).
In the 1970s and 1980s, musicians continued experimenting. They made louder and faster music, with long guitar solos. Their new musical vocabulary became known as "heavy metal". At the same time, punk bands in Britain thought it was cool to play the guitar badly. It was part of their rebel image.
True or false.
1. Electric guitars appeared in the first half of the twentieth century.
2. People enjoyed them because of their design.
3. The electric guitar changed the whole music world.
4. The electric guitar became the instrument for calm music lovers.
5. Jimi Hendrix was very careful with his instruments.
6. New sounds were the result of experiments.
7. All the musicians played the guitars only in a proper way.
