The Guitar Reimagined

Performers and instrument designers have been exploring ways in which to expand the possibilities of the guitar through electronics since at least the 1930s. The history of the classical guitar and electronics, however, is much less familiar to a general audience. This is despite the fact that a great many pieces that bring together the classical guitar and electronics in innovative and imaginative ways have been written, performed, and recorded by amateurs and professionals around the world. This chapter presents the contextual background for an integrated hybrid system for classical guitar and electronics, which exploits the guitarist’s existing skillset in order to control the electronic environment.