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I think the guitar being amplified has a lot to do with how popular it became. The guitar really took off when it became possible to be heard over a big band. T

by RUG3Y 11y ago

I think the guitar being amplified has a lot to do with how popular it became. The guitar really took off when it became possible to be heard over a big band. This really emphasizes its usefulness as a solo instrument. I think horns were traditionally used for these types of solos because they're loud and they really cut through the mix.

zhemao 11y ago
Well, you could always give the horn player a mic. I don't really recall many big band electric guitar soloists. The only one I can think of is Charlie Christian. So I doubt volume is a major factor in the guitar's popularity over the saxophone in popular music. I think one big thing is the versatility of the electric guitar's sound. You can put it through different effects pedals to completely change the sound of the instrument. Wind instruments couldn't do this until the invention of the Varitone, but even then the natural tone of the instrument is still predominant. This is probably also why synthesizers became really popular. I think another big factor is that the guitar (and other rock band instruments) is more "democratic". The guitar is more amenable to self-learning. It's cheaper than a wind instrument. Even beginner saxophones are several hundred USD, whereas you can get a low-end electric guitar for pretty cheap. It's easier to make a good sound right off the bat. Just press down a fret and pluck. No need to practice an embouchure and blowing technique. Really, the only hard part is to practice contorting your fingers into different chord positions. But rock musicians generally play a few simple chords, so this isn't that big a deal. And plus, you don't even have to learn to read music, since you can rely on tabs, which show you exactly how to position your fingers on the fretboard.
- mrob 11y ago
  Tabs don't show you exactly how to position your fingers, only where to press the fretboard. There's still some skill required in figuring out which finger to use for each string, and the best finger sometimes depends on the size and flexibility of your hands.
  - 6stringmerc 11y ago
    This is true, and then there's the counter-example of Django, who managed to do stuff with two fingers lots of guitar lovers can't seem to come close to with four!
tblomseth 11y ago
The perennial example of an electric guitar soloing in a big band setting is "Solo Flight" (1941) with Benny Goodman's big band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IID2JPnGF00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IID2JPnGF00. Charlie Christian is featured all the way through and in that sense the tune was also a departure from the usual format for big band arrangements.

by RUG3Y 11y ago

zhemao 11y ago

Well, you could always give the horn player a mic. I don't really recall many big band electric guitar soloists. The only one I can think of is Charlie Christian. So I doubt volume is a major factor in the guitar's popularity over the saxophone in popular music. I think one big thing is the versatility of the electric guitar's sound. You can put it through different effects pedals to completely change the sound of the instrument. Wind instruments couldn't do this until the invention of the Varitone, but even then the natural tone of the instrument is still predominant. This is probably also why synthesizers became really popular. I think another big factor is that the guitar (and other rock band instruments) is more "democratic". The guitar is more amenable to self-learning. It's cheaper than a wind instrument. Even beginner saxophones are several hundred USD, whereas you can get a low-end electric guitar for pretty cheap. It's easier to make a good sound right off the bat. Just press down a fret and pluck. No need to practice an embouchure and blowing technique. Really, the only hard part is to practice contorting your fingers into different chord positions. But rock musicians generally play a few simple chords, so this isn't that big a deal. And plus, you don't even have to learn to read music, since you can rely on tabs, which show you exactly how to position your fingers on the fretboard.

mrob 11y ago
Tabs don't show you exactly how to position your fingers, only where to press the fretboard. There's still some skill required in figuring out which finger to use for each string, and the best finger sometimes depends on the size and flexibility of your hands.
- 6stringmerc 11y ago
  This is true, and then there's the counter-example of Django, who managed to do stuff with two fingers lots of guitar lovers can't seem to come close to with four!

tblomseth 11y ago

The perennial example of an electric guitar soloing in a big band setting is "Solo Flight" (1941) with Benny Goodman's big band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IID2JPnGF00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IID2JPnGF00. Charlie Christian is featured all the way through and in that sense the tune was also a departure from the usual format for big band arrangements.