The History of Guitar

Where did the guitar come from?
We learn about and play 7 instruments along the path of the guitar's evolution,
from the Arabic Oud to the modern acoustic as we know it today.
Brandon Acker's channel: / @brandonacker
*asterisks
- Scholars disagree about whether the renaissance guitar is a direct descendant from the lute or an independent creation.
My guitar courses are available within the Guitareo membership :)
www.guitareo.com
Also, my beginner course, GuitarQuest, is still available on it's own too
www.guitareo.com/guitar-quest
The gear that I use: imp.i114863.net/yRLxmG
Win $1000s in FREE Gear at Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/7mxBM5
Sweetwater’s deals page: imp.i114863.net/qnNGyg
The channel is supported in part by Sweetwater’s affiliate program. Thanks for that!
Commentary, song stems, and early access to videos when you super-subscribe on Patreon: / robscallon
Recorded and mixed by Rob Ruccia of Uptown Recording: www.uptownrecording.com/
Studio assistant/rad dude: Rasheed Thomas
/ sheedpoint
/ nonpointband
Camera operated by Sam Grant of The Good Stuff: / thegoodstuff
Video edit by Jake Jarvi: / pineappleboyfilms
This video was made possible because of Patreon support from Rob Harper, Hypergnome, Nicolette Kawata, Fabio, Erik Ritter, Ben Swan, Isaac Briefer, Quintin Waldner, Donato Sinicco III, Bryce Taylor, rd1994, David Cundiff, Joseph Villa, Dave Jurenovich, Nicholas Wendling, Chris Lane, Kyle Grolemund, Yaroslav Yermilov, Kevin Harris, BabertAbert, Sandra Mikus, & many other awesome people on my Patreon page: / robscallon
Big videos go on this channel. Everything and anything else is on the 2nd: / robscallon2
Also...
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Twitter: tinyurl.com/twitter78

[@10thHellJumper]

Every musician after playing in front of people: "something like that"

[@LucasAlvesMusic]

Its just like those disclaimers on movies based on real events hahah

[@jimsquash3894]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ7Sn5ucmtaip8M

[@ifhyceez9106]

ong

[@dburridgemusic]

amazing 😆 so true

[@ashoka9306]

always sounds better in your head

[@user-sl7tm9mf8y]

"I don't know what year exactly it was made" good save Vampire

[@jasonnwajei7876]

😂😂 love this commment

[@vetlerradio]

Best comment!

[@dharmadhikariatharva]

Well he can't say it was made infront of him 😁😁

[@RKM8506]

I picked this up... oh shit... I meant to say...

[@eastmanalucard7044]

I shouldn’t do this.... but I can confirm he is one of us.

[@caielesr]

Blows the mind to know that Brandon actually witnessed himself how the guitar evolved throughout the centuries.

[@mothpuff7515]

He's my favorite vampire

[@Campones]

@@mothpuff7515 Mine too!

[@cory6294]

Never realized he was the guy that's always in the back in those old renaissance paintings.

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

@@spicydramarama852 yeah then he came back as vampire and is in this youtube video, we know this already

[@taccamine8312]

This guy is not just a historian with loads of interesting and sensible theoretical knowledge. He's a really amazing musician too. Flawless technique and astonishing sensitive dynamic expression. And with such a nice humble personality. Respect

[@chase2337]

100%. his playing was virtuosic on basically every instrument, dude has put in some serious practice time for sure.

[@glenthemann]

@@chase2337 Because he's a vampire. Pretty easy to put in serious practice when you have centuries to do so.

[@Matthew_Klepadlo]

I wish he was my Professor 😢

[@Evan24_7]

@@Matthew_Klepadlo Same bro, he seems like such a cool guy.

[@astrospect]

His personality is so warm and inviting it makes me almost uncomfortable.

[@DeadBeatDex]

Brandon: "So we have a softer, more mellow sou-" Rob being Rob: *plays flamenco*

[@primalter6744]

E. O. They’re referring to 43:00

[@kurikumo4803]

Guyss its very short but im sure its a song do you know which song is it 41:00

[@kurikumo4803]

@Drakon thank you dude

[@TheodorNicolescu-nb7sr]

😂

[@topnug7626]

Was looking for this comment loll

[@dulldyl]

I’m about 90% sure Brandon is a vampire who’s been around since the Medieval Ages.

[@thescriptwriter824]

"Interview....." they're telling us too much.

[@holdencaulfield9470]

I'm convinced

[@Snowlys]

I thought he looked like a vampire too

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

He does look interestingly attractive like all those high society vampires... Hmmm...

[@Snowlys]

@@maldivirdragonwitch gaaaay

[@gurbuz12345]

The oud song in the 4:58 is called "Uskudara Gider Iken", is a folk song from Ottoman Era composed by Dimitri Kantemiroğlu. Fun fact it's melody is also sampled in Boney M's Rasputin.

[@tibbarnogard8404]

OHHHHH i was listening and was like "this is NOT arabic music" and i was wondering what it was but that's so helpful thank you!!!

[@gurbuz12345]

@@tibbarnogard8404 My pleasure!

[@histoireenimages5986]

@@tibbarnogard8404 it's maybe not Arabic music but it still a Arabic instrument

[@ion9386]

There's also a greek version of the song (as Greece was under Ottoman rule for over 400 years there are actually many greek songs that share a similar 'origin story'). The greek version is called "Απο ξένο τόπο" (=apo xeno topo), which roughly translates to "From a foreign land". Here's a lovely version from Katerina Papadopoulou, where you can hear the characteristic oud in the backing track: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHfOiJ5rmKilj6c

[@tibbarnogard8404]

@@ion9386 thank you!!!

[@bilal59446]

This video shall be mandatory for all music schools. His knowledge and repertoire blows me away. What a treasure of talent.

[@RaynP]

Who else really wants to see Brandon play Rob's 8 string and 9 string

[@hannahjohnson4582]

Oh my goodness yes!!🤩

[@abdul-lateefismail1601]

Brandon actually played metal in his youth!

[@hannahjohnson4582]

@@abdul-lateefismail1601 yep, in his youth back in 1680 on the theorbo.

[@ozzyisdrunk]

@@hannahjohnson4582 lol

[@Byronicmonkeys]

When Brandon started playing that lute it became apparent that the dude can shred. I think he'd sound great. Rob, make it happen. Edit: here he is 'metalising' some bach on an electric. Pretty beefy tone too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4DQgoKXd56fY8U

[@BaBaBaBenny]

I like how these videos are 90% Rob letting Brandon take the reigns and 10% Rob killing it on instruments he's holding for the first time.

[@Thefloorislava115]

Rob is actually a really good interviewer for this reason. He lets the experts explain without annoying interruptions, and just let's his curiosity lead his questions.

[@sultanabdulhaqiii1633]

@@Thefloorislava115 Yh, that's because he does not have to manage any time in the show and he doesn't have any agenda behind his interviews.

[@samphilip4477]

NO ONE LIKE

[@F0nkyNinja]

They all sound bad when Rob plays them though

[@gordyjorgenson8623]

And then brandon getting all embarrassed lol that's the best part

[@OmegaMarioMaster]

Time stamps for my fav pieces of each instrument they played: Arabic oud: 4:58 6:47 Renaissance lute: 12:50 21:32 Renaissance Guitar: 23:41 25:43 Baroque Guitar: 28:36 30:01 19th century Guitar: 37:17 42:10 Classical Guitar: 46:38 45:43 Modern Guitar: 51:16 52:38

[@ASLUHLUHCE]

Thanks :)

[@crazyjack5646]

What is the one at 25:43?

[@mackenziestanley3280]

the one at 42:10 is an MCR song off of their first album, it’s the interlude!

[@manuschulz1761]

@@mackenziestanley3280 i cant tell if youre serious but if you are, its really not. Its a spanish romance from a very long time ago

[@duhectakingelo1392]

@@manuschulz1761 what was its name again?

[@OfficialPanamaYoutubeChannel]

im doing a report on the history of guitar and this just gave me about 4 pages worth of content. so glad i found this and yes i did cite the video

[@esa6321]

What grade did you get?

[@OfficialPanamaYoutubeChannel]

@@esa6321 93% W

[@esa6321]

@@OfficialPanamaKZbinChannel Damn gj

[@houghwhite411]

Yoooooo!!!

[@ahmedelkhwaga2751]

Not fair

[@Simrasil_]

I would not be surprised if Brandon Acker was actually an immortal vampire that has lived through all of these epochs himself

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Well if he's a musical vampire he can't be *that* evil. :D

[@uglebean5769]

It was DIO all along!

[@pukkahut751]

Your comment reminds me of a film “Only lovers left alive”! Do you intend to use this as your reference? 😚 the protagonist Adam is a musician and a vampire

[@apextroll]

Interview With The Guitarist.

[@dannyinaus]

No, you are thinking of Laszlo Cravensworth from the TV show What We Do in the Shadows

[@carlstawicki1915]

5,000 years of dropping picks inside the guitar.

[@commentfreely5443]

4300 years ago was the great flood, so where are your guitars from before that?

[@ahuddleofpenguins4842]

@@commentfreely5443 and on the seventh day, God said let there be waterproof guitars. /s

[@medlawar8645]

@@commentfreely5443 the bible isnt historical history

[@codykendall2846]

@@commentfreely5443 good luck with that one man. Maybe catch up with science and then try again.

[@docsavage8640]

They put 2 on the Ark

[@rayeblack]

“Instruments don’t get better and better, they just change with our changing aesthetic” Beautifully said. I also love how Brandon looks like an unassuming Clark Kent type, while really he’s the Superman of guitar

[@hhea4513]

as a middle eastren, it makes me so happy seeing people appreciate part of our culture. love ur channel, keep up the great work!

[@AsadAli-jc5tg]

Thank you very much for the guitar.

[@lemlem35]

I will NEVER get tired of Brandon being featured on this channel. He is an absolute JOY to listen to

[@Daniel-uz6fc]

He has so much knowledge of the guitar, it's intriguing to hear someone who's talking about something they're passionate about.

[@garydiamond289]

He really is. I've been playing 25 years and he makes me look like an amateur, in a good way. Such nuance, feel and flawless technique. That's years of dedication right there. Rob if you're reading this, more Brandon and you hosting these shows please!

[@tranthien3932]

If you are interested in his playing you can go to his channel, he posted a lot of videos

[@garydiamond289]

@@tranthien3932 Oh I did, and what a skilled performer he is too. Really loses himself in the moment. ❤️

[@sub-jec-tiv]

I enjoy listening to people who naturally grin while they talk. He has natural joy for music. Which is soo helpful for teachers.

[@Siegfried-e-s-o]

I like how Brandon simply tell the history of his instrument that he made decades ago.

[@watakoe1448]

*centuries ago

[@eeshsinger]

Siegfried Ikr *sarcasm overload*

[@billkoul9780]

@@watakoe1448 there's a running joke that he's a vampire

[@RoboBitch42]

@@billkoul9780 what do you not understand? Centuries = 100 years ; Decade = 10 years....hell the joke works better with centuries considering these instruments where invented centuries ago and not decades per se

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

He never researched any of this, he LIVED it.

[@Avi-rn6ei]

Wow the Oud really blew me away. Never expected it to sound so rich and cool.

[@Zeagods-CyberShadow]

Yeeee its what made me want it

[@myflfl]

And it’s still used today in Arabic music

[@hamzasami8362]

If you like the Oud, I recommend listening to the kanun/Qanun as well, it is like a table harp, essentially. Beautiful sounds!

[@foxnamedandrea1511]

I got so nostalgic for the oud, my sister used to play it a lot and hearing it again brings me back to the days I remember her practicing so much in her room oh gosh she played it so well too

[@JonnaaM]

Brandon’s acting skills are just as good as his guitar skills. When he explains the history of the instruments, it really seems like he wasn’t there during their creation. Perfection

[@Rex-golf_player810]

Fucking guitar vampire

[@benaamdynamicfoe557]

@@Rex-golf_player810 haha

[@algernon7272]

Brandon is actually another Timelord that miraculously doesn’t have a British accent. You can see it in his style, he HAS to be a time traveler.

[@benaycock1646]

There can only be one

[@millthor]

The dude abides!

[@kaizoaudio1798]

Brandon is such a cool dude. His knowledge blows me away, even if he wasn’t also a fantastic musician.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

I want him to talk about the dulcimer, its a really cool instrument that blends many different styles of stringed instruments into one. They are somewhat popular here in the Appalachian mountains. The fret board isnt uniform, it goes up in whole steps and half steps. You can use a wooden peg to strike the strings, or to use like fretting peg, or like a capo. There is alot of variation in them and theres alot of variation in styles of playing / tuning, especially when compared to the European dulcimer. Im still learning about them but i find them more fun to play than guitar in some ways. Chords are really fun to play and its easier i think for beginners.

[@simondanielssonmusic]

Such a hunk

[@ToaNaterFilms]

Breaking Benjamin blow me away starts playing

[@nikolaimikhail7774]

Yeah, it's too bad he's associated with the worst album of the century ("Nostaliga Critic's The Wall")

[@MrNeosantana]

Brandon is also incredibly humble and the least pretentious person I've ever seen with THIS much knowledge.

[@flaarcher]

As an older guy trying to learn how to play, I found this to have a wealth of information about playing. As a former history teacher, this touched a whole different set of interests!

[@fade2Matt]

robs talent to just be able to play any string instrument he picks up is incredible

[@joelshore1937]

And the oud looks over and says, "Lute, I am your father..."

[@SkoomaCat]

Lol

[@maj3735]

LOL

[@lilgreenmomo]

^ Underrated comment, right here.

[@l8sk8r86]

“Give yourself... to the Dork side!”

[@fulfillkhongkiang2513]

😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mikewarper6789]

"Let there be guitar, and there was guitar" - Bon Scott

[@didds8869]

Greatest rock n roll frontman of all time \m/

[@user-sq5hg4so9q]

Western: Let us copy Muslims and arabs and there was a guitar

[@topnug7626]

@@user-sq5hg4so9q it's called taking inspiration from different cultures

[@tr0nix119]

Bro i'm an arabic musician and let's say that he's veeeery good on the oud bro really nailed it ❤ ( the guy with the white shirt )

[@keithstillman2143]

Every time you feature this guy in a video I so thoroughly enjoy it. He is so well spoken, so knowledgeable… and he fuckin shreds. Hats off to him and to you! Thank you for all your hard work!

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@LavagreatThegreatnerdity_rocks]

my man here trying to make it sound like he didn't live through the times these instruments were popular

[@CampfireHeadphase]

brandon = vampire is easily the best meme of 2020

[@KaityKat117]

Some kind of historian would certainly be the best (or at least one of the best) things for a vampire to do.

[@andertons]

Every guitar player should watch this. What a fantastic job. Loved it! 👍👍👍

[@bigchungus8207]

Anderson’s tv!!

[@tpags7398]

Hi lee

[@tiredcoconut5892]

Hi Cap!

[@bones2430]

I read this as “every guitar should watch this”.

[@tanvirtonmoyoops]

@@bones2430 😄

[@ethanvaughn9386]

As a musician and historian. This is incredibly exciting as you can hear the history right in front of you!

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@upfront2375]

How do U feel (as a historian) that he clinched so hard just NOT to mention the word "Persia" while, mentioning persian words, instruments and shoving Greek there somehow?? 😆 As a Persian I really wanna know... ​ btw Mesopotamian empire was the largest in ancient world right? I have to go feed my Mesopotamian cat!

[@LianMooN_]

​@@upfront2375 he did mention Persia. Second/third instrument.

[@russ6541]

Brandons comment about Rob picking up an instrument and nailing it was so true. It’s super impressive and Rob is a really incredible musician.

[@mustakrakish]

Brandon Acker looks like what manga artists think musicians look like.

[@tomdchi12]

Also, strangely, lawyers.

[@yuriyel4146]

Ikr

[@SlyHikari03]

Mhm.

[@letsgofishing5238]

Stolen

[@sitas9827]

Stolen comment but I'm liking it anyway because it's true 😅

[@puppets1979]

I love how rob picks up an instrument he has never played and instantly plays it like he has been playing it since1509.

[@kentucky1519]

Who says he hasn't

[@ceevee1646]

... if you play guitar and you can use your fingers or a pick to other instruments... you can play them. its not rocket science

[@puppets1979]

@@ceevee1646 You could just laugh at the obvious joke.

[@kevinmencer3782]

He's actually an immortal vampire, and isn't learning so much as remembering how to play.

[@PanglossDr]

My dad could do that. I saw him pick up a Sax one day and play it. He had never touched one before. Unfortunately I didn't get that gene from him.

[@philodonoghue3062]

Two knowledgeable and knowledge seeking young men bringing their shared love of the guitar to a wonderfully refreshing conversation . Well done gentlemen! A stunning example of something for ‘both edification and delectation.’

[@ShawnQuiQui57]

You should have Brandon back on a regular basis. This is the best episode. I could listen to the two of you talk and play all day.

[@AreEnTee]

Brandon has more info here. kzbin.info

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@briancho1825]

That's a pretty cool thing about lute players... That they're spies?! Yeah- *ad plays* I'm dying

[@neilfranklin5644]

James bond playing a lute now I got that image in mind the films will not seem the same

[@stabgan]

I get no ads, i use vanced KZbin

[@Airhead4321]

so cool! I guess that's why Bards in videogames like Dragon Age are spy/rogue classes?

[@HexOmega3113]

The historian guy very well may be....a vampire. How else is he so good at all the different instruments

[@noah_that_bills_fan1613]

420 likes

[@Ryan_Austin]

2:00 Arabic Oud (1000s of years ago) 9:18 The Renaissance Lute (1500s) 22:23 The Renaissance Guitar (1500s) 27:07 The Baroque Guitar (1600s) 33:18 19th Century Guitar (around 1800) 44:05 The Classical Guitar (around 1850) 50:30 The Modern Acoustic (around 1850)

[@sakshamjoshi6369]

The saviour

[@natsu__official]

God🙏🙏

[@fulfillkhongkiang2513]

Thankyou.🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

[@minceraftfornite4334]

Thank g ur a real one they should of done this

[@turunendin2925]

Please do the same on all maths lecture that u find... Thanks in advance

[@bretwomble8357]

I think the thing I love most about this is just how much fun they’re having. None of it is perfect in any sense. They’re just laughing and having fun playing awesome instruments.

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@georgedoty-williams2085]

@@spicydramarama852 Just like a true Evangelist, you're annoying

[@philodonoghue3062]

There are VERY few - even exponents of the guitar - who could pick up (in both senses ) an instrument and in just a few minutes of exposition and demonstration, play with such alacrity, precision and invention. Take a bow Rob - a very deep bow

[@big_man_]

anytime a guitarist plays in front of people: something like that 🤷‍♂️

[@doyle5948]

My god you are correct my good sir...

[@Alvaretum]

So true lmao

[@darbymoyer1725]

Haha I always say “something like that idk I’m working on it” haha

[@Klumzy05]

Was this copy or did someone did that?

[@Eugensson]

Okay, so what we have learned: pick was before the fingers. Tabs were before the standard notation.

[@anuvette]

Ya that makes no sense

[@DeadBeatDex]

I think it was more like they started with fingers before recording the history, but when they found out that a thin and flexible material made a clearer sound than soft flesh they made that the norm from then on

[@DougShablowski]

Mind blown

[@colehuard]

Also 9 string guitars came before 6 strings

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@colehuard BTW When we went to steel string Guitars we regained the pick.

[@clockWorks10]

The thing that stands out to me the most is how stunningly beautiful every single one of these instruments are. They are all works of art and engineering combined.

[@tomlewis5542]

First thing I noticed too.The desire to create them was driven by passion.They are like beautiful women!

[@MrKittenmitts]

Brandons fingers look genetically perfect for guitar playing.

[@user-vq2de7lj3w]

This oud is made in Syria, by Ibrahim Al-Suker ( yes it mean sugar ) It tells you where his business address, my family is a musical family and we take oud very seriously, so every one of us gets one Oud made by Mr. Al Suker, every oud musician in middle east knows that he is the guy you go too to get your perfectly made Oud, their business is very old

[@prettyBANG27]

@Bilal Ibrahim chill out, he is talking about the maker sticker inside the instrument.

[@ofmetalphilosophy4837]

@@prettyBANG27 indeed. I'm an Arab and can read the sticker.

[@user-dj6lj1dl1c]

23 thats really fucking cool

[@maxlind2942]

@Bilal Ibrahim He meant the oud they were playing in the video, not that it was invented in syria

[@harrytalbot1507]

That's really cool

[@pipolwes000]

"We're going to jam on all of them." "No Stairway" Gotta set those ground rules

[@honeylemonsoda4432]

Get our priorities straight

[@alanmorgan3661]

What a superb video!, I could watch these guys for hours, loved seeing them go through the progression of instruments and Brandon explain the different types of music they were used for, well done guys.

[@PremiumKibble]

This is one of the best pieces of content on the entire internet. History, technology, beautiful music and craftsmanship all tied together nicely. Kudos!

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@christopherlewallen1829]

@@spicydramarama852 based

[@Curmudgeonly]

The Oud is such a thing of beauty

[@Karim-Echaibi]

👍

[@NaderHGhanbari]

Indeed. He hinted at Barbat, predecessor of Arabic Oud, which still exists of course. It sounds very similar to Oud. Here’s a piece played with Barbat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqGQm6yDlpaZY9E

[@melissawardjohns220]

@@NaderHGhanbari thank you. I'm learning on a Tertis viola on how to do luthier work but I'm gonna have to add that to a list of instruments I want to make. I want to make the rarer instruments more readily available. The shop for someone who wants to do more than play a guitar or violin. I played cello personally and aside from it being as big as me it was wonderful. So getting the similar sound on something much lighter has me excited.

[@poroporoking7571]

you can easily buy it, its still a common enstrument in Turkey and you can find some online courses to learn it too

[@muhannad9629]

check out Simon Shaheen. he teaches at Berklee School of Music

[@splitodin3231]

Brandon slipped up "do you remember how music was notated before standardized notation....tabs" confirmed vampire 48:50

[@damaygo1742]

I think thats the wrong time

[@splitodin3231]

@@damaygo1742 thanks, fixed the time stamp.

[@ltambrosekurt2]

but the real question is the choice of words. why would he ask if he remembers? 🤔

[@20cmusic]

Tab was orthodox. 🤣🤣👍

[@Pixelpro-jr5fc]

Brandon says, do you remember, because it’s something he already told him about to Rob.

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

42:10 that piece "Romanza" sounds really amazing on that old guitar. I wish this guitar should have been in guitar center. 43:15 Nocturne Op 9 no. 2 - Chopin

[@AsatruMetalhead]

thanks for mentioning the name of this piece. beautiful!

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

@@AsatruMetalhead yeah, By the way, Check Rob Scallon's C standard version of Romanza but it's deep and beautiful at the same time.

[@priscianusjr]

The name "guitar" comes from the ancient Greek kithara, which is a kind of lyre with a soundbox. From this Greek word also comes "cittern" and "zither".

[@ldgaming4213]

I thought it meant six strings

[@HardCore_Islamist]

Lol its persian

[@bigsellers7953]

Lute players, tuning down half a millenia before metal guitarists

[@resourcedragon]

Don't forget that a lot of baroque music was played with A = 415, rather than A = 440.

[@bigsellers7953]

@@resourcedragon damn that's pretty metal

[@aluminiumman1241]

History repeats itself

[@Opticillusion160]

thy art is murder could have been baroque music

[@boistybuster]

43:00 Brandon: So we have a softer more mellow sound Rob: *Strums aggressively*

[@MeeshGuitar]

Your catalog is huge, and I'm loving every vid. Thank you Rob!

[@AspynDotZip]

29:11 they were literally calling that style noise. It's crazy how that all comes back around 😂

[@ramix023]

2:00 Arabic Oud (around 700) 9:21 The Renaissance Lute (1500s) 22:25 The Renaissance Guitar (1500s) 27:07 The Baroque Guitar (around 1600 - 1750) 33:20 19th Century Guitar (1800s) 44:08 Classical Guitar (around 1820) 50:33 The Modern Acoustic (around 1850)

[@jxck3335]

Thanks

[@vinciere3594]

Doing the lord's work, my friend.

[@tipitip374]

In fact, the firs time oud was used by Turkish people around 600s. Arabics “lives in Bagdat Irac” see the oud from Turkish people. The music in video played by oud is turkish music in Ottoman empire. Song is Üsküdara Gider iken. Sorry for my english

[@tipitip374]

And Turks(turkish people) are not arabic

[@tareqewaida8532]

@@tipitip374 from what I know the first "oud" was Persian before Turkic tribes even left central Asia

[@TenThumbsProductions]

“Serenade the King” a 10 episode mini series on Netflix about a spy lute player. Pitch it to Netflix. I’d check it out!

[@lilrodentstan3666]

That’s such a good idea! It could have something to do with, or be about one of the spy lute players!

[@robertwhite711]

Wonder if the royalty had lute players, discreetly screened off, playing during other activities in bed?

[@hsmacaraig]

@@robertwhite711 cursed.

[@kirkpatrikballares3291]

@@robertwhite711 And the lute player/spy happens to have affection for whoever the king was screwing. *drama intensifies

[@debolinabhattacharyya5179]

I literally thought it was one and was about to go check it out. Then I reached the part where u said, "Pitch it to Netflix" and I was immeasurably sad.

[@TheRealChetManley]

Brandon is amazing. So impressed with Rob’s ability to play these instruments as well.

[@TSTBand]

Thank you very much for making this very informative vídeo throught the history of the guitar, i saw it from start to finish, thanks both Rob and Brandon, you guys are great!

[@michaelkavanagh5779]

42:58 "So we have a softer more mellow sound." *Proceeds to flamenco with the force of God.*

[@bjerk1881]

I was about to comment this hahahahaha

[@secretstoner37]

".. something like that" -every guitarist thats ever played something on a guitar that isnt theirs

[@Royal-sp9pb]

why is this so true, i've said this myself dozens of times lol

[@gezor20]

... while being a bit proud of the accomplishment but humbled in front of the specialist spectator 😁

[@haffajajr1]

Somethin' like at! *British/ Australian accent as an American*

[@Anmol34]

Me too

[@FusRoDah2]

Literally just said that last night at a friends house too accurate 😂

[@zorglubmagnus455]

There are so many good things to say about this video. Thank you both!

[@VulcanFlamma]

8:15 the dude in the picture is the instrument maker, he's also my dad's lifelong friend!

[@Radek-xl3tg]

That’s so cool!

[@tylerdoe1096]

*Aliens come down to Earth* "We have brought an instrument that no human has ever seen!" *Rob* "Ah lemme give that a shot! :D" *Plays Metallica*

[@samuelszuqel5919]

Nothing wrong with Metallica 😁

[@resourcedragon]

So long as it's a chordophone. I'm not so sure how he'd go with wind or brass, he might need half an hour or so to figure it out.

[@dwaynowilli6822]

I have a kid (16) that I took to a party with me once, couldn't leave him home... There was a banjo in the corner, he asked if he could play it, I told him to ask the owner... He did, strummed it twice, and played battery... It was insane... He has his own channel on here... Hes been playing for a little over a year now.

[@zyriuz2]

aliens: whoa!

[@user-ql8uf9xi3x]

Dwayno Willi whats his channel?

[@ayelmao1224]

Let’s not forget that the guitar likely has its roots when an ancient hunter plucked the string of their bow, and realized it made a cool sound

[@epicperson7071]

Crazy

[@armaangupta3039]

Ah yes

[@joeymorse365]

so.. the hunting bow is the orginal guitar

[@technelligence]

Probable, but also pure speculation.

[@christophernichols4808]

That may have led to the harp.

[@jli_999]

This video is absolutely exceptional! Thank you for such an amazing display!

[@TheRamenofs]

I’m only realizing how precious my Oud is ❤ My mother purchased it to me from Aleppo it’s the same made and it has the same picture on it 😊

[@YousifAlsharqi]

I'm an OUD player who is converting to electric guitar, OUD is amazing very natural sounding , Oud gives a very different feeling than a guitar

[@YousifAlsharqi]

the half flat notes we call them a quarter notes, u can identify the most famous Arabic scales using scales that have quarter notes in them

[@YousifAlsharqi]

i can give u a scale that have a quarter note to try in guitar : this is called Bayat: starts with : D E(quarter: u can achieve it by bending the E note a quarter bend ) F G A Bb C D , have fun

[@anuvette]

That's cool

[@YousifAlsharqi]

@@anuvette yea it is, thanks for ur appreciation

[@lorenzomarcello5406]

Awesome, sir. Surley you will have a unique way of playing due to your first experience with al oud!

[@nemorajabi58]

"The English word guitar, the German Gitarre, and the French guitare were adopted from the Spanish guitarra, which comes from the Andalusian Arabic قيثارة qitara, itself derived from the Latin cithara, which in turn came from the Ancient Greek κιθάρα kithara, and is thought to ultimately trace back to the Old Persian language Tar, which means string in Persian.

[@dariushpezhmannia938]

Greeks hellenised Persian instrument called charTAR to kithara/chithara.

[@frednolasco]

Char - 4 , tar - string. Nowadays persian music still relies heavily on Setar (a derivation of chartar) and just Tar, an hourglass shaped modernized version of Setar.

[@soumyadeepborthakur3070]

Complicated

[@GamePlayer-mr7zi]

inaccurate, the roots of the word are older than persian .. it’s old semitic word

[@GamePlayer-mr7zi]

@the virtuous man 👏🏼👌🏼

[@cleveij1]

What a fun video. I have been a guitar player for 35 years and this kind of information was just never available to me if I didn't spend hours in a library reading stacks of books. Thank you, young guitar lovers.

[@spicydramarama852]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

[@BobStCyr]

very nice overview. One important omission - the vihuela. The vihuela was a six course, double strung instrument very popular in Spain in particular from the 15th century on. Equal temperament was necessitated by keyboard instruments, since each string had to play one note and you couldn't stop and retune it for each key - so it needed equal temperament. This predated metal frets on the guitar.

[@someonespecial1329]

Timestamps for each instrument (and some jams!): Arabic Oud (thousands of years ago): 1:53 - Oud jam: 4:58 & around 6:09 Renaissance Lute (the 1500s): 8:40 - Rob jamming at 18:44 Renaissance Guitar (the 1500s): 22:22 - Jam at 25:33 Baroque Guitar (the 1600s): 26:55 19th Century Guitar: 33:11 - 37:14 , 39:27, 40:45 , 41:58 (Romanza and more) Classical Guitar (around 1850): 44:02 - 45:38 and Recuerdos de la Alhambra at 46:39 The modern acoustic (around 1850): 50:30 - 51:15 , 52:22

[@SirRelith]

Do you know what song Rob was playing at around 42:30?

[@dannmarcviado2063]

@@SirRelith Romanza

[@denizbluemusic]

the song played on the oud around 4:58 is called "Katibim" or "Üsküdara Gideriken"

[@andrewj3177]

Bless you mate!

[@j12magpantaysean79]

Hey umm anyone here knows what Rob played at 43:02

[@antlermagick]

I love seeing the joy on someone's face when they're explaining a topic that they're passionate about

[@nevan2201]

Same

[@SimonDouville1]

That university level conclusion was so satisfying. I want to hear this guy conclude on SO many topics.

[@malte1984]

I really don't get why guitar manufacturers stoped to cover the resonance hole like they did with the baroque guitar.... no more pick falling into the guitar and it looks pretty!

[@fofnifolar]

1) its easier to make a big hole rather then an intricate design resonance hole. 2) with a big hole, maintenance is easier and you dont have to worry about about damaging the design

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

What the other guy said, and it tends to dampen volume.

[@omerkaankara3832]

The song he played on the Oud is called “Uskudara gider iken” which translates to “On my way to Uskudar” which is where I live now in Istanbul, Turkey. Our musical culture still utilizes Oud a lot and I also admire it. It amazes me that he knows this song.

[@sage9836]

I've danced to that song!

[@carrythetorch33]

He is an incredible musician

[@akkin5460]

Thank you so much for sharing :D

[@A57-0mona]

Hes a vampire who was a spy clearly.

[@kandamas]

thank you for sharing. I love the beautiful arabic culture in turkey

[@UncleRJ]

This is an unlikely friendship that had formed and I have zero complain.

[@jic1]

I don't know: a rock guitarist who likes unusual instruments, and a classical guitarist who specializes in historical instruments seems like a pretty natural pairing.

[@sayan_tan]

I think Rob started with classical guitar too if I'm not wrong.

[@goodun2974]

@@jic1 , check out maxi-instrumentalist David Lindley, he plays nearly every type of stringed instrument from the entire planet, and is equally well versed in Rock, folk, bluegrass and Arabic music.

[@simondanielssonmusic]

@Abraham Villalobos When Brandon played that little metal phrase for fun, you could hear that he once had been playing lots of metal

[@anthonyzbikowski529]

They are both pretty musically omnivorous. I'm not sure you'd exactly call Rob just a "rock guitarist" based off of his own music, and Brandon is definately a metal head... more like two guitarists who specialize in different areas. I think it's entirely unsurprising and musically it has to be a blast to collaborate.

[@MrMcMoobies]

Probably one of the most entertaining and educational I have seen on KZbin.

[@fora1461]

5:05 I got my first guitar and this song, Katibim (üsküdar) is the first song I am learning to play. Really nice to see Brandon played it with ud here 😊

[@mhmd4k]

Brandon is such a knowledgeable person on top of being a world class player.

[@hozesty]

Vampire

[@justinnichol3662]

and unfairly handsome

[@docsavage8640]

This is why KZbin has value. Buried amid all the idiocy you can find an informative gem like this.

[@bernardinelermite1133]

Totally underrated comment !

[@bcc5701]

And it’s free!!!

[@monika.alt197]

@@bcc5701 it’s free because you are the product

[@gunaodegaia9082]

@@monika.alt197 open source exists

[@monika.alt197]

@@gunaodegaia9082 open source what? Yt ain't open source

[@nathanbeasley1234]

Great content guys - really interesting discussion and great playing too, thanks for your insight!

[@RavixSomni]

Maybe the reason for the crazy pegbox angle on the Oud and Lute is the keep sufficient string tension over the nut, much like how inline guitars need string trees

[@simondanielssonmusic]

Could we all just take a minute to respect the discipline Rob has to not play with the guitar as Brandon is talking

[@minstorm]

Ah like everyone except really autistic people learn in kindergarden. Don't make noise when someone is talking, very hard I know

[@danielflanard8274]

@@minstorm The people who do it are inconsiderate. They know they're not supposed to, they just don't care.

[@NotoLumen]

And vice-versa, dude!

[@spoopyjones4870]

@@minstorm It's hard not to jam on a guitar while it's in your hands, especially if your good. When someone is talking you just wanna let go and fucking shred that baby. And don't be an asshole just because the moment is right for you to call someone stupid.

[@didds8869]

I wouldn't be able to stop myself from playing some tasty blues licks on some thousand year old geetars

[@gabrielpeters929]

Brandon at 43:01: So we have a softer more mellow sound. Rob: *flamenco intensifies*

[@gwynthegnome2050]

The song Rob was playing at 25:44 when he asked, “What am I playing?” was “Do Lord, Remember Me.” It’s an old “negro spiritual,” or you could say, gospel song from the 1800’s. I remember learning it in grade school. Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me Way beyond the blue

[@MedicineofSound]

Wow I really appreciated that journey thru time. Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful evolution of my favourite instrument 😻🙌

[@michaelbateman8469]

In 1992 I was assigned to an air base in Southern Spain. Although an air base ,we had 48 USAF, yet 50 US Navy. One of the Navy guys had wheedled, cajoled, begged and somehow got assigned to this tiny base. The reason was because it was near one of 13 living flamenco guitar masters whom he hoped to apprentice under. After much finagling and some months he got an audition. After less than 30 seconds, the master shut him down and told him he needed more practice. This went on every few months. Finally, after almost a year, the master accepted him as a student. I asked him why he was so obsessed with this. His answer, he's a metal head, but after hearing flamenco, decided that if you can play flamenco well, you can play anything. Idk if true, but the guy extended his tour and was still studying under the master when I left.

[@framegrace1]

Flamenco is very different than anything else... They have their own bars, rhythms, scales, harmonies and even notation. The guitar method is also totally different. So not sure if you can adapt it to play anything else except flamenco.

[@rams6702]

@@framegrace1 robert trujillo dude

[@shaungardner311]

Rota air force base?

[@zarlok5294]

@@framegrace1 Yeah. That statement indicates a mechanical mindset. That’s like saying if you can play like Eddy Van Halen you can play like Freddy King. That way of thinking seems ridiculous to me. He might be right in some alternate dimension I’m unaware of but when I used to listen to Flamenco I found it interesting and those guys are amazing but it seems like an isolated style to me. I don’t see it connected to anything of what we consider “American” music for sure. I remember learning to play Maleguena (?) when I was fifteen or so and although it was fun for awhile I eventually started just telling people It was too hard and ...no... I can’t play that. I think it’s about as boring as playing “Hang on Sloopy”. What do you actually do after the first couple minutes....go faster. Bleh. Boring.

[@haydong5182]

@@framegrace1 "if you can adapt to this unique style of play you can't adapt to anything." -you

[@userclame]

36:14 I'm now completely convinced that Brandon is a vampire that dedicated his immortal life to music. I can totally see him in the streets of Vienna, in the 19th century, playing guitar just to make everybody flip over it. There's no way he was not involved in the "intense" mania that went around at the time. No. Way.

[@CalebHesse01]

Rob playing the Oud when he's probably never even touched one before is great, within ten seconds it sounded like he had at least a year's worth of experience playing it.

[@hassanhaddad_official8367]

Thanks guys for your beautiful informations about the Oud 🙏🏼

[@hamzealawneh2812]

as an Arab listening to this 4:58 was so amazing the oud is one of the best instrument in the whole world ... u can feel the sadness in his tuns

[@uralkale]

You know the name of that piece?

[@hamzealawneh2812]

@@uralkale kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGqxoGuhi7iLp7M

[@uralkale]

@@hamzealawneh2812 thank you

[@alhassani626]

@@uralkale I think the song is called tolama ashku gharami, it's very hard to find a good version online.

[@yusuf8600]

@@uralkale "katibim"

[@AliyaCyconMusic]

Me: learns to play Oud for 9 years Rob after 3/8s of a minute: 7:43 Me: bye

[@jjposeidon206]

It's interesting, you can see how much ancient oud influences modern metal music. I mean, play the riff that rob was playing on a solidbody electric and it would go hard at a metal concert. I think that's why he was able to pick it up so quick. Maybe you should try metal.....

[@mikehunt5134]

Hey friend, I hope that you know that you are always loved and supported!!! I truly do love and support you, and I hope that you know that you are never truly without friendship or companionship :) I love you buddy! Have faith in exactly who you are! You are worth all the beauty this world has to offer! ❤

[@krem9363]

Omg don't do it you have so much to live for! ❤

[@naipsiefilderussatser4067]

I mean... Once you learn a guitar or any similar string instruments and learn music theory you can technically improvise on almost any string instruments.....

[@painovoimaton]

If you know one plucked string instrument tuned in fourths, you will have a rather easy time with others. You would probably have a pretty easy time learning guitar, you know.

[@LaskMaestro]

How much fun and knowledgeable!!!! Loved this!

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

I've always wondered what it would be like to go back in time, like a thousand years ago, and play 'Stairway to Heaven' on one of these early guitars. How would people react to it back then? Would they think that it was an amazing song or just an average sounding guitar song?

[@flekkzo]

Guitar Lessons BobbyCrispy They probably would be more afraid of the time traveling corporate copyright lawyers that would show up before you hit a single string and dragged you away.

[@ariestotlerajmaharjan3762]

That's actually a really interesting question man

[@michaelsablan8772]

Guitar Lessons BobbyCrispy Ah Yes, a rendition of “Stairway” and you would be drawn and quartered....your head on a Pike at the entrance of the castle as people lined up for the Knights of the Oud Pageant...opened up by the Lute Brothers....all sacred music, of course.

[@sagebroda9616]

They would assume witch craft I always thought lolol

[@sasquatchlife8836]

I've always wondered the same thing. I bet they would would either love it or hate it.

[@sebastiandelacruz3849]

My god, brandon’s hands are so damn light and elegant when he plays

[@scootosan]

Great educational video as if we are hanging out together. Rob was salivating to play those examples. Brandon you are the Professor of historic strings. And with all do respect I'd nickname you Spider.... you have the perfect digits to play.

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Excellent video. Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video.

[@damiantang8941]

Do any of y'all reckon some dude 3000 years ago considered that the only thing to make that sick Oud riff better was more having a 9 string Oud

[@MisterManDuck]

Maybe not 3000 years ago, but there are some medieval plans for 9 course Ouds.

[@olejason]

7 course ouds are reasonably common nowadays. Usually tuned low to high C F a d g c f