In North America and western Europe, arguably the single most recognised instrument in popular culture, having become an icon of folk, blues, jazz, country, mariachi, tejano, rock and a myriad of other contemporary genres.

Guitars are classified as members of the generic lute family, distinguished from European lutes because they have a flat (rather than vaulted) back and 'incurved' sides.

They existed in Europe since the 13th century; similar instruments with guitar-like names such as 'cittern' or 'gittern' are illuminated in medieval manuscripts. By the 15th century, the Spanish 'vihuela' was described in contemporary texts, and during the mid 16th century, the 'guitarre' had been introduced to France from Spain. These instruments travelled with Spanish and Portuguese sailors to Africa and central America during that era.

Relatives of the contemporary 6-stringed guitar are legion, as are their shapes, sizes, performance contexts and playing techniques.