The guitar has been on this earth in one form or another for thousands of years. During this time it has gone through many changes and stages of development. Of course it has not always been called "guitar ", but there is no denying that the instrument we now know by that name is one and the same with many ancient instruments that had similar characteristics. In fact, as mentioned elsewhere, the word "tar" is an ancient word for string and still is such in India and other parts of the world.
The guitar of today is only the present stage in this long line of evolutionary processes, bringing it to what we now recognize as this instrument.
Also, this process of development that has given us the guitar of today is by no means over. The guitar is ever continuing to change in many ways all the time. This is evidenced by just going into a store that sells guitars and seeing all the different types and shapes of guitars available. One might even be inclined to admit that with all these variations in guitars, it is as if either there is some great creative force behind this development... or perhaps there has been something of a mutation going on due to something like what might be experienced when environmental conditions affect animal or plant life and cause changes... "negative or positive".
In any case, we can easily see a lot going on in the guitar's development. It is a virtual
"Guitar Explosion"
A "New World Of Guitar" happening all around us.
Why is it that the guitar is still here, and still becoming a greater influence in our lives. It is said that "everyone plays the guitar". While this is not exactly true, it seems that it could be heading toward that conclusion. All over the earth the guitar is so popular that it is now estimated there are more guitars on the planet than humans. So, naturally, as with people's individual tastes... as with clothing, cars, jewelry, home- decorating etc., there would be a great so called
"Guitar Explosion"
with lots of stylistic differences in guitars... and more likely yet to come. As often said, we are truly living in the "Age Of Guitar".
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