What is 10 string guitar?

A 10-string guitar is a guitar with 10 strings instead of the conventional six-string guitar. It is a rare type of guitar that provides players with additional tonal and chordal options.

1. The extra set of strings on a 10-string guitar is usually arranged in a course of five pairs. The four lower pairs are tuned in octaves like a 12-string guitar, while the highest pair is tuned in unison.

2. The 10-string guitar uses traditional guitar tuning for the six lower strings (EADGBE) and additional strings (usually E, B, G, D, and A) that augment the high end of the guitar’s tonal range.

3. The tonal range of a 10-string guitar is wide, allowing players to create rich, lush chords and unique harmonies that are not possible with a standard six-string guitar.

4. The added tension of the extra strings on a 10-string guitar requires a heavier gauge of strings to avoid string breakage and ensure even tuning across all strings.

5. The technique for playing a 10-string guitar is similar to that of six-string guitars, but with some differences in finger placement to accommodate the additional strings.

6. 10-string guitars are rare, and only a few guitar makers produce them. They are often custom-made to the specifications of the player.

7. Ten-string guitars are popular in styles of music that place emphasis on complex harmonies, such as classical, jazz, and progressive rock.

8. The earliest known reference to a 10-string guitar can be found in the 16th-century music treatise of Vincenzo Galilei, the father of the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei.

9. Some famous musicians who have played the 10-string guitar include jazz guitarist Ralph Towner, Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa, and classical guitarist Narciso Yepes.

10. In recent years, manufacturers have started producing electric versions of the 10-string guitar, allowing for even more tonal versatility and control over sound.