Courses

If you wanted to cite one object that symbolized the last half of the 20th century, you'd be hard-pressed to come up with a more appropriate icon than the electric guitar. It reflected changing times as vividly as hemlines, hairstyles, or the latest Cadillac. This course explores how, beyond mere fashion, societal shifts like the generation gap and sexual revolution seemed to be embodied in this simple hunk of wood with steel strings and magnetic pickups. Swing, bebop, rockabilly, blues, psychedelia, fusion, punk, and heavy metal—all were formed and transformed, thanks to the electric guitar. Companies like Fender and Gibson added hotrod paint jobs and space-age designs, as sales soared. Through lectures, hands-on activities, and listening sessions, we’ll follow the evolution of the instrument itself, its outsized position in popular culture, and major players in rock, blues, country, and jazz—from Les Paul to Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, and beyond. Violins and pianos are fine for symphonies and cocktail music, and the saxophone had its day, but let’s face it—the electric guitar remains the sexiest instrument of all!