The Spanish guitar abroad: Where is it successful?

Redacción Alhambra
2025-04-24T10:54:59+02:00

The Spanish guitar is one of the most international symbols of our country, thanks primarily to the great flamenco singers and certain works that any foreigner immediately identifies with Spain, such as the Concierto de Aranjuez. Furthermore, the versatility of this instrument, combined with the ease of learning guitar music, make the six-string guitar very popular all over the world.

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The main importers of classical guitars are, according to the most recent data, the United States, Germany and Japan, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, which already gives us some idea of ​​the interest that this instrument has in these countries. The case of the United States is practically self-explanatory, since the guitar has always been deeply rooted in North American popular culture, both in country legends such as Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard and in the old protest songs, which had great exponents in Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger. Talking about the guitar in Japan may seem more unusual, since it is an instrument with no roots in traditional Japanese music. However, it must be taken into account that Japan has managed to incorporate Western culture without losing its own identity. Today, one only has to browse YouTube to discover interesting Japanese guitarists, both amateur and professional. Finally, the case of Germany is similar to that of other European countries, where the guitar is a popular instrument but also has an important cultural status. One could mention, for example, the Bonner Meisterkonzerte Klassische Gitarre, which is held every year in the city of Bonn, bringing together internationally renowned guitarists every Sunday. Therefore, playing the guitar is an activity that is enjoying very good health, and everything indicates that it will continue to do so.