Top 10 Genres that Helped in the Development of Guitar
These genres are the most important genres for development of guitar. This doesn't mean they are best at guitar. Its simply most important.Rock is a pivotal genre for distorted music on guitar. As distortion technology progressed, so did rock music. Rock guitarists experimented with various types of tube distortion and were instrumental in the fusion of different musical genres. Rock also popularized many guitar techniques and rock guitarists are often seen as the most charismatic.
It's true that guitars were never the same after rock came around. They live in fear of rock from all the casualties.
Jazz is the most important genre for the development of the guitar. Jazz evolved from blues but with more technical proficiency. It originated at a time when only acoustic guitars were available. Since then, guitarists have continually experimented with their instruments, contributing to the development of the electric guitar as well.
Jazz popularized techniques such as sweep picking, alternate picking, and tapping. Jazz guitarists experimented with distorted sounds and were pioneers in both lead and rhythm guitar. They also introduced complex ascending and descending patterns. Therefore, I believe jazz deserves the number one spot. However, when we talk about jazz, many think of it as boring music.
Blues has had a significant impact on guitar, especially influencing rock. Blues musicians developed their unique styles, evolving from traditional music. This genre was also pivotal in popularizing the electric guitar, with some of the earliest records of distorted guitar found in blues. Additionally, blues popularized techniques like strumming and harmonics and introduced a distinctive scale.
Classical music also contributed significantly to the development of the guitar, mostly in technical ways. However, it did not become as famous as blues because classical guitar was considered difficult to play, leading most guitarists to choose blues instead.
Classical was largely ignored by rock musicians, though not by pianists. It started to gain popularity when guitarists like Steve Hackett, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, and Steve Howe incorporated classical elements into rock.
Punk had its own importance for rhythm guitar. It helped in the development of highly distorted music and non-technical rhythmic sound, which later inspired Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal, alternative rock, new wave, and others.
I ranked metal quite low on this list because the title is about genres that helped in the development of the guitar. Metal is a more recent genre, not as old as blues, rock, jazz, or classical. It evolved from various genres and has influenced guitar playing in many ways, including shredding, fast playing, heavy rhythms, and technical precision.
Folk had a significant impact on guitar, especially for soft music. Folk is also one of the earliest genres of music. I don't know much about old musical scales, but people back then used many different types of guitars.
Country made an impact on genres like blues, rock, jazz, and others.
Mostly with different types of playing.
Psychedelic rock helped in the development of distortion guitar, especially with the proper equipment. Before that, people sometimes used to break their amps to create distortion.