Charlie Christian
The Guitar Moves Up Front
In the early twentieth century much live music was performed by larger groups, orchestras or bands featuring armies of similar instruments. To be heard in all but the
smallest settings it took many instruments playing synchronously in carefully crafted arrangements. The Banjo with its resonator was the king of rhythm instruments.
The Guitar produced a mellow, pleasing sound but at a reduced volume. The Archtop Guitar was produced to cut through a large ensembles sound and provide a steady beat
that added texture to the sound. Archtops as large as 19” at the lower bout were used to gain volume. Then, the electric guitar came along. First patented in 1927 the
electric guitar provided the medium for change. Within a few short years a guitar could be thought of as a melody instrument. Someone had to be first and in this case
Charlie Christian was the man.
Charlie Christian may not have literally been the first electric guitarist but his position with Benny Goodman’s band gave him and the electric guitar its first national exposure. Goodman himself was noted for being an innovator recognizing the value of small jazz groups as a supplement to his Big Band. When Charlie Christian teamed up with Goodman on such pieces as Flying Home and Seven Come Eleven a new art form was invented. Christian stepped out of the rhythm section bringing the electric guitar with him. The electric guitar proved itself a melody instrument that could blow a solo like a Sax then change hats and bolster the rhythm section after its solo was finished.
Charlie Christian died quite young but left a legacy that has benefited the guitar world ever since. His recordings are readily available on CD and make a valuable addition to any jazz lover’s library.
