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Samantha Hernandez
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Mrs. Regalia & Mr. Biggs
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Political Studies
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January 28, 2017
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Electrifying Senior Project
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Ever been mesmerized by Carlos Santana or Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar? Yeah, me
too. Specifically when theyre playing the electric guitar. Since the day I got introduced to
alternative rock, blues rock, latin rock, and psychedelic rock its been a fantasy of mine to learn
how to play the electric guitar. My father introduced me to all different types of rock music, we
would play Guns N Roses, Nirvana, AC/DC, and a little bit of R.E.M on the rides home from
school or whenever we went on trips away from home. I really enjoyed the time my family and I
spent in the car because we really bonded over music and it makes me feel super happy because
Considering how badly I wanted to learn, I tried out practicing with an acoustic guitar
first, assuming itll be easier and helpful for me to transition to an electric guitar. The farthest
Ive gotten was learning how to play the Happy Birthday song on the acoustic guitar. I gave up
after that because I started to struggle with hand placements. In addition, I didnt know how to
tune the guitar. I felt like I needed someone to be there to support and motivate me while also
teaching me.
Although I had difficulty on my own, I believe I can do much better with the help of a
mentor who actually knows what theyre doing. Im going to try my best because Ive always
wanted to learn how to play the electric guitar and now that I have my own I can. My
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grandmother passed down her friends electric guitar to me, I was so excited, but I didnt know
how to get started. Im hoping that my senior project can really benefit me and push me to play
the electric guitar. I will not quit until I learn how to play at least one of my favorite songs
without messing up. Some of my favorites include: My Kind of Women by Mac Demarco,
Losing my Religion by R.E.M, Loner by Kali Uchis, Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, Fade
Into You by Mazzy Star and a whole bunch of others. I know some of my picks are going to be
difficult, but Im going to start off simple and improve from there.
The electric guitars development consists of innovation dating back to the 18th century.
Christian Frederick Martin, a German-American luthier who specialized in guitars, made the first
guitar in the United States back in the 1830s as stated by Lemson Center for the study of
invention and Innovation, A Louder Guitar. By the 1850s, X-bracing was developed by Martin
to strengthen the guitar's body while also altering it to become an American Flattop guitar
design. In 1894 Orville H. Gibson, another luthier, created an entirely new design with tops that
were carved rather than bent and arched, enhancing the durability and sound as stated by Lemson
Center for the study of invention and Innovation, A Louder Guitar. This initiated new
expectations for musicians who demanded for better quality and louder guitar designs. By the
end of the 19th century, the idea of using electricity to create louder string instruments already
existed. It was only during the 1920s and 30s that engineers and musicians began to improve
his business partner George Beauchamp, an American inventor of musical instruments made an
electromagnetic pickup, which amplified the strings vibration, as stated by the Shmoop editorial
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team, Adolph Rickenbacker in History of Rock & Roll. It was introduced as an electric
aluminum lap-steel guitar, also known as the frying pan. Rickenbacker and Beauchamp produced
the very first viable electric guitar. Although the design was costly and far from perfect, its
Today, Fender and Gibson are two of the most popular, successful, and largest guitar
industries in the world. As stated by Biography, Les Paul, guitarists and luthier, designed a solid-
body electric guitar in 1941. Paul believed he could improve the amplified solid-body guitar by
attaching strings and two pickups (wooden board with a guitar neck). Paul called it the log. It
was not a very flattering design, but it produced the perfect sounds. Although, by the time
Gibson was ready for production in 1952 there was already a mass-production of the invention
instrument that eventually became called the Telecaster. It was the first solid-body Spanish-style
Nonetheless, both Gibson and Fender have changed music in astonishing and exciting ways.
The electric guitar has come a long way and it is still continuing to change and adjust,
especially for peoples personalities and preferences. There are many different build designs,
accessories, and styles for an electric guitar. My senior project will fulfill my desire to finally
learn how to play the electric guitar, while also learning how to properly tune my guitar and alter
the sound. The electric guitar has always been an interest of mine and Im excited to pursue this
exciting opportunity to learn and receive the help and resources I need to accomplish my goal.
This will be a huge challenge for me, but I know that I will be able to overcome any obstacles
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Work Cited
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18, 2014 April. "A Louder Guitar." Invention | Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and
Innovation. National Museum of American History, 18 Apr. 2014. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
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Shmoop Editorial Team. "Adolph Rickenbacker in History of Rock & Roll." Shmoop. Shmoop
University, 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
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"1924 Gibson F-5 "Lloyd Loar" Mandolin." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2017.
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"Orville H. Gibson, 1856-1918." Siminoff Banjo & Mandolin Parts. N.p., 14 July 2015. Web. 02
Feb. 2017.
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"History of Fender Musical Instruments." Fender Musical instruments corporation. N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Mar. 2017.
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"Les Paul." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 29 Nov. 2016. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.
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"Gibson USA." Gibson Guitar. Gibson Corporate Directory, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.
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