Acoustic guitars are one of the most popular musical instruments. Music could not have evolved through the years without the significant contribution of this wonderful instrument. Did you know that guitars have been around for about 5,000 years? The history of the acoustic guitar is interesting and insightful, giving credence to the numerous influences and events that led to the emergence of the modern guitar.

Historians identify the acoustic guitar origins to the ancient civilizations in the Near East. Several clay plaques found in the location of Babylonia (dated about 1850 BC) feature man-like figures that play musical instruments resembling the guitar. The musical tools have distinct bodies and necks, leading historians to conclude that the items were guitars. Somewhere in Egypt, there were also carvings excavated featuring necked instruments with marked frets connected to a narrowed neck. Ancient Rome was not far behind. The Empire's version of the guitar was a wood soundboard incorporated with five small sound-hole groups.

During the Medieval Period, there were several identified guitar forms. These instruments had three to five strings and were significantly smaller compared to the modern guitars. During this era, popular guitars were classified into two, namely, Spain's Guitarra Latina and Moors' Guitarra Morisca. At the later part of the 15th century, there were four double-string guitars. During the onset of the 16th century, a fifth double string was added.

The Renaissance Period came and the guitar became even more popular. Italy emerged as a guitar center during the period as the first six-string guitar surfaced. It was in the 17th century that the musical genius Antonio de Torres Jurado became popular and made a permanent mark of his own, after being named as the 'Father of Modern Guitar.' The structure and design of the current acoustic guitar has been patterned after his guitar.

Antonio de Torres gave way to the emergence of the classical guitar. Until now, many are still confused over the real differences between the classical and the acoustic guitars. To set the record straight, classical and acoustic guitars differ in design and structure, though the common notes and functions are almost identical. If acoustic guitars have steel strings, classical ones rely on nylon strings. The acoustic guitars' body structures are also larger, producing louder music than the classical guitar.

European immigrants are believed to have brought acoustic guitars to America. Over recent decades, electrical acoustic guitars were developed from simple acoustic guitars. The electrical types could be easily plugged into amplifiers so volume could further be increased, though the instrument could still function without amplifiers.

Every component, string, and shape of the modern acoustic guitar has been carved from long history. The popularity of acoustic guitars is still high despite numerous innovations and emergence of other modern musical instruments. The next time you take and pick up the instrument, try to appreciate the long history of the acoustic guitar.