Abstract:

In this study, making an origin analyises of guitar was intended by means of its etymology which originated from Greek mythology and by means of comparing with stringed instruments of other Aryan languages family which have fonetic similarity to guitar. First of all, a short historical evolution of guitar was handled. It’s aim is sthrengthening the evidence which acquired from its etymology via investigating the stage of guitar in its history. It is confirmed that historical development of classic guitar have begun from Antique Greek and after dominioning of Arabs in Spain, it has settled this area and it is an ancestor of some string instruments and known as a Spanish folk instrument. Than, it is stated that this instruments name arises from a mythological king Kithairon who gave his name to the mountain that is near The Delphi Temple and Kithairon’s name have transformationed to kitre, kitharra, kithar and guitar in process of time. It also stated that this etymological origin (Kithairon) constitutes the origins of tar word which means both ‘string’ and ‘stringed instrument’ in Persian language. The “8” shaped bodies of guitar and tar confirm this theory

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