The guitar is perhaps the most widely used musical instrument on the planet, but not everyone knows that, to reach its current form, it has undergone numerous evolutions over centuries of history, starting with the baroque guitar.

Today, there are many types of guitars; the most well-known are undoubtedly the classical and electric, but others, such as the acoustic and the 12-string, also exist.

Modern guitars consist of a resonant body, often made of wood and in various shapes, a neck (also made of wood) with frets for pressing strings to produce different notes, and the strings themselves, which create the melodies. At the top is the headstock, used for tuning the guitar so it plays in tune. The tuning mechanism is simple: tighter strings produce higher-pitched sounds, while looser strings create lower, deeper tones.

The History of the Baroque Guitar from Its Origins

The baroque guitar emerged around the mid-16th century, though the exact date remains uncertain as there is no definitive evidence of its creation.

The 16th century marked its peak usage and expansion. The baroque guitar was used extensively until the late 18th century, especially in Europe, and particularly in Italy, France, and Spain. It was in these countries that its greatest exponents created musical masterpieces, often performed at concerts or during storytelling sessions accompanied by this instrument.

Like the modern guitar, the baroque guitar had a bright and distinctive tone, making it an excellent accompaniment for the voice. It was also integrated into small orchestras alongside instruments like the harpsichord, archlute, viola da gamba, and theorbo.

At the time, a similar instrument represented local aristocracies: the lute. In contrast, the baroque guitar was a more popular instrument, appreciated for its unique sound qualities.

Compared to the lute, the baroque guitar was much more manageable and lightweight, making it more accessible due to its lower cost. Furthermore, it was easier to play, even for amateurs. The lute, being more complex, began to decline rapidly, nearly disappearing within a century.

The baroque guitar’s popularity was further boosted by numerous publications teaching simple melodies, increasing its appeal compared to the lute.

How the Baroque Guitar Is Made

The basic structure of a baroque guitar is similar to a modern classical guitar: it has a resonant body, a neck, and a headstock. However, the similarities are mostly aesthetic, as the playing method and string design are significantly different. While classical or acoustic guitars have six individual strings made of metal or plastic, a baroque guitar features five pairs of double strings made of gut.

Modern reproductions of this instrument rarely use gut strings, opting instead for synthetic materials that closely replicate the original sound. In most baroque guitars, the sound hole is not completely open, as in modern guitars, but is partially covered with intricate carvings, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

The entire baroque guitar is often intricately decorated, making it particularly refined and elegant. Decorations are commonly found on the rosette of the sound hole, the edges of the body, the headstock, and near the bridge.

The headstock has ten tuning pegs, indicating that although the strings are grouped in five pairs, they are still tuned individually.

Like modern guitars, the baroque guitar also has a first string, or chanterelle, which is positioned as the top string and often played before the lower notes. Additionally, baroque guitars included two intertwined gut strings representing the lowest notes, typically placed on the 4th and 5th string courses.

How to Play the Baroque Guitar

A guitarist with some experience can easily approach the baroque guitar, though the tuning and playing style may initially present challenges.

While modern chords exist for this type of guitar, in the past, musicians preferred to pluck the strings individually to produce the desired notes.

The original tuning of a baroque guitar is A, D, G, B, E, notably lacking the low E string. This is the default tuning, as provided by luthiers of the time, though many artists adjusted it to suit their preferences, simplify fingerings, or perform complex pieces with minimal effort.

One evolution from the baroque guitar era that remains popular today is the battente guitar, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. It retains many characteristics of the baroque guitar, especially its playing style.

The strings are very delicate and are therefore played with the fingers rather than a pick. Similarly, nails are avoided to preserve the strings and achieve the desired sound.