Is the Guitar Dead/Dying?

[kimi_kami]

I'd say yes, skilled lead guitarists are really falling out of favor.

Unfortunately more and more people think a rock band should be one singer/songwriter and a bunch of tools who STFU and do their job without asking questions. I see that philosophy in a lot of contemporary mainstream rock music and also a lot of indie and punk music.

[Salamander Way]

Yeah, there are great guitarists on youtube, and that is how they will get started.

[Thorge]

This is the most epic example of a pot calling a kettle black that I've ever seen.

[ompelle]

Honestly, by the time rock actually starts to fade away you'll be too old to care.

[nathaniel_russell2001]

Im talking about jazz a little older than you listen to most likely- my point was it started out as a very percussive instrument in jazz and evolved into a more prominent role.

[justinclayjr]

Deja Vu?

[beagle171717]

You're probably right. I'll be dead by then. That makes me glad to hear.

[iimaxdreamerrxx3]

Never say never. You don't hear a heck of a lot of lute or harpsichord in modern music despite the fact that they apparently were both once a very popular instruments.

[E.D.M]

I agree with your overarching point here but I disagree that it's a development that happened in the 70s. I think it's been that way throughout rock history. Look at the Rolling Stones or the Who for example. Or, hell, just look at the names of groups like Buddy Holly & the Crickets or Bill Haley & His Comets. Truth be told, I'd say this is really something that extenRAB far beyond just rock music.

[Matthew Mccullough]

Hi there,

When the question is asked: "Is the guitar dead/dying" ? We all tend to jump to the solo guitar and start looking for examples of great guitar solos. The guitar is a very versatile instrument and although it might not be upfront and right in your face, it is still present in most types of commercial music.

I don't think computers will see the guitar fading. LoaRAB of guitarists nowadays use their home computers as a way to record their guitars and with all the software available today it is a lot cheaper and less complicated than it was say 20 years ago.

Just look on youtube. There's all levels on there from beginners playing 'House of the Rising Sun' to some really good examples. I think the guitar is as popular as ever, if anything, part of the mystery as been removed and more folks are giving it a go. Picking things up from youtube does encourage the cloning of styles but there will always be the few who can break out from the norm.

Course, nearly everything will die eventually but for me, the guitar is still alive and kicking. Just depenRAB where you look....

Gordon.