The History of the Guitar and its Music
The origin of the guitar is not certain,
but it can be traced back to ancient Egypt (3000 B.C), where it is believed to have begun as the lyra, an ancient string instrument. Over the centuries, the lyra underwent many transformations and assumed many forms, including the medieval lute, finally reaching Spain where it gradually developed into the guitar as we know it today.There are two hypotheses concerning the guitar's origin an development : (a) - that it started as a lute in Assyria, passed through Egypt, Persia and Arabia, and finally reached Spain around the 8th century, - and (b) - that in accordance with (a), the Assyrian Ketharah and the Greek Kitara gradually became the Citara-Roman which was subsequently improved and renamed the Rotta or Chrotta. Then, in 16th century Spain, it became the Vihuela - the guitar's closest relative.