The article The Early History of the Guitar by Christopher Page in my opinion is an accurate depiction of the role and the rise of the early romantic guitar. The author’s depiction of the magnitude of the effects of the guitar in the early ages is entirely correct. The author says that the guitar is superior to the piano and the violin because of the fact that it covers more musically than the former and it can be learnt faster than the latter (Page, 2014). The guitar is arguably the most relevant musical instrument in the world today. With that said, it still gets very little coverage and not at all the due it deserves. It is my opinion, therefore, that the role of the guitar from its rise from Georgian music to present has been the more relevant than other instruments but has not garnered the necessary recognition.
I believe that the guitar was and still is one of the very few instruments that could resonate well with peoples' feelings. In the article by Christopher Page, he emphasizes the role of the guitar in the early ages, where poets like John Keats used to write their poems and stories concerning the guitar and its association with everyday life. In one such article, the author reasoned that there is no instrument that could allow a person to live in the imagination even for a short while. In the early times the guitar used to symbolize the times and the moods of the time such as war and romanticism (Page, 2014). In my opinion, the reason that the guitar could do this is the range through which it could be played. For example, the author says, and I agree that, the guitar can be passionate and melancholic at the same time. For this reason, it can be argued that the guitar has a broader spectrum than the piano, and it has eclipsed its predecessor the harp (Page, 2014).
In my opinion, it is accurate that since the guitar was so relevant in the social history in England, it should have garnered more resources from the country (Turnbull, 1974). This especially is the case from the role of the guitar in Regency England. The fact that more materials have come from countries that played less guitar is the reason that England is called the poorer relation to guitar playing nations. Other countries have contributed significantly to the revolution and the rise of the guitar. For instance, the movement of the guitar into Spain led to the transition to the modern classical guitar (Tyler, 1980).
Over time however the classical, romantic guitar has garnered more and more acclaim (Page, 2014). There has been a wealth of materials on the rise of the romantic guitar. Many of these materials have been written and published in London. The reader can, therefore, assume that the guitar has started getting the long overdue recognition that it deserves.
It is my opinion that the author’s depiction of the early romantic guitar is accurate. Other instruments get more coverage than the guitar does, the piano is more expensive and is harder to learn than the guitar and yet more is known about it than the cheaper and easier to lean and use guitar. The guitar is more relatable than other instruments. This means that the listeners can associate it sound with their day to day lives. Its sounds have been thematic in a number of experiences including war and love. This, in my opinion, is the reason that the guitar’s raise to its current status can be accredited to more than musical content.
I concur with the author that the since the guitar has had more impact on the social scene in England, more information about the evolution of the guitar should come from the country. This traditionally has not been the case. However in the recent past, more and more information is coming from England about the origins, the evolution and the current state of the early romantic guitar.
I am particularly stirred by the author’s use of famous poets and authors on their contribution on the guitar. Knowing that people like John Keats and reference of poems like “With a Guitar” allows the reader to see the credibility in the work. I however failed to see the connection between the rise of the early romantic guitar and England’s political and/ or international position.
Works Cited
Page, Christopher. "The early history of the guitar." Early Music 1.1 (2014): 1. Print.
Turnbull, Harvey. The guitar, from the Renaissance to the present day. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1974. Print.
Tyler, James. The early guitar: a history and handbook. London: Music Dept., Oxford University Press, 1980. Print.
