The Popularity Of The Twelve String Guitar

Music has got immense soothing capabilities. It acts like a magic balm soothing frayed nerves. Whether you are on a pensive mood or overflowing with joy music can be your perfect companion on all occasions. Therefore it is no wonder why the term music therapy has come into being in recent times.

First popularized by the well-known guitarist George Harrison the twelve-string guitar has made its maiden appearance in the 1960s. From then onwards it has been an integral part of any music show carving a unique niche for itself. It stood the test of time to become one of the most well loved versions of guitar instruments globally.

Musical instruments play a key role in making any musical journey lovable. Of all the different musical instruments, which have graced the musical landscape guitar is perhaps the most well loved one. Guitar has got the unique feature of turning any dumb music show well loved. Guitar is present in several incarnations like the six-string guitar or the twelve-string guitar. It has its own magic, which can transform any dull performance come alive.

As the very name suggests twelve-string guitar is a guitar having twelve separate strings unlike its other well loved counterpart the six-string guitar. With non-traditional structure supports twelve-string guitar stands apart from its other counterparts. There is also this growing trend to use double-necked twelve-string guitar to allow smooth transition between different sounds. But, twelve-string guitar has got its own share of disadvantages. Since, it is very hard for individuals to bend notes this particular version of guitar is rarely used for musical concerts.

Features of a twelve-string guitar

It has got a richer sound quality.

Capable of producing a natural chorus effect.

It is a common practice to use the twelve-string guitar as a primary instrument to supplement the six-string guitar to enhance the overall sound quality. The twelve-string guitar can be tuned lower than the traditional instruments, which helps to reduce stress on the instrument. There are many double neck guitars, which have a twelve string neck so that one is able to switch between tone during live performances.

Two well loved forms of twelve-string guitar are as follows

Acoustic

Electric

Some of the well-known twelve string guitarists are as follows

Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)

Glenn Frey (The Eagles)

Syd Barrett (On solo recordings) (Pink Floyd)

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Steve Howe (Yes, Asia)

Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)

Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)

David Bowie

Tim Buckley

John Butler (John Butler Trio)

John Allan Cameron

Glen Campbell

Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)

Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance)

Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)

Paul Collins

David Crosby

Reverend Gary Davis

Alexander Bashlachev

Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)

Robbie Basho

Steffen Basho-Junghans

Brian May (Queen)

Freddie Mercury (Queen)

Paul McCartney (The Beatles)

Beau

Dominating the musical circuits for ages this well loved version of guitar can make any performance come alive with one single stroke. Known for its innate ability to jazz up stage shows twelve-string guitar are an integral part of the music industry globally.

Related posts:

1. The History of Classical Guitar
2. All About Acoustic Guitars
3. Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings: The Basics of String Theory

Tagged with: Guitar • popularity • string • Twelve

Filed under: Jazz Guitar

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