ABSTRACT

This chapter provides some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book includes a series of observations made at a particular period in the life of guitars and guitarists, teachers, manufacturers, engineers, designers, technicians, producers, promoters, journalists and audiences. The guitar is able to preserve its own identity as an instrument of music, culture and society, whilst those who play it thoroughly engage with new technologies, communication systems and forms of travel and business practices, as well as new techniques and styles of playing. The new guitarscape is a reflection of the wider world as embodied by guitars in all its forms and guitarists of all ages, colours, genders, beliefs and nations. A host of characters base their lives around the guitar, some much closer to the instrument in body and mind than others, but all using the instrument in often singular and idiosyncratic ways, for both pleasure and empowerment.