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Acoustic Guitars

There are many different types of musical instruments in the world. Some are not as well known as others while others are seen nearly everywhere and are recognized on sight. Take, for example, the acoustic guitar. Most people recognize a guitar, whether it is acoustic or not when they see one. Like pianos, guitars are often readily identifiable to most people. There are other instruments that are not as readily identifiable and that is simply because they are not as prevalent in the popular music industry as others.

The acoustic guitar, classical guitar and electric guitar can be seen in nearly every successful band or group that is part of popular culture. They seem to form the basis of many musical groups and that is why they are so identifiable to most people. While the electric guitar comes in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes, most people still recognize them as being a 'guitar'. To the layperson the difference between the different types of guitars may be simply aesthetic. After all, to a person that does not know the difference an acoustic guitar, electric guitar or bass guitar all have strings, are played in the same way and make a sound that is technically the same. The experts, of course, cringe at the very thought of the simplification.

But unlike the acoustic guitar and all its cousins, most other instruments are not as easily identifiable. Vanessa Mae turned the violin into a popular instrument when she showed people that it could be used to play more than classical music. The likes of Phil Collins, Elton John and Stevie Wonder have made the piano an identifiable instrument as well though most people know the instrument from their days at school. Cartoons and some sitcoms have also made other instruments a little more recognizable. The cello is often confused with a contra bass but at least people have an idea what it is. The saxophone is also often recognized for what it is though the difference between a tenor and an alt saxophone means nothing to people.

But quite unlike the acoustic guitar, other instruments are mostly an enigma. The oboe and hobo are two instruments that most people have heard of but could not point out in an orchestra. The same applies to the euphonium and the French horn. These instruments, along with many others, while being part of symphony orchestras for years are just not recognizable to most people since they are not 'popular'.

The world has hundreds of thousands instruments of different instruments all over the world that most people are not ever aware exist. The acoustic guitar and all its cousins have had the advantage of being part of popular culture for a long time so many people know them on site. Perhaps another person like Vanessa Mae will come along and turn one of the more obscure instruments into the next big thing. Only time will tell.