So, What is a Cigar Box Guitar

So I finally got my CBG (cigar box guitar) and I am working on learning how to play it. You may be like me and wondered, what is a cigar box guitar?

Until recently, I really didn’t know a lot about these things. I just figured they were some novelty item, that people made for kids or something.

So I Did Some Research

So I did some research or due diligence as I like to say and came to find out that there is a whole world of folks out there who not only play them, but play them professionally.

They come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of modern electronics, some have resonators, so you can play them unplugged, some have basic pic ups inside the box while others have thinlines and humbuckers.

When I got mine and started looking at videos to find out how to play the dern thing, I found out that you can tune them in just about any key, which I have not had a lot of experience at in the past, but am finding out can be a lot of fun.

I gave a little history in my last post, Cigar Box Guitar – My New Instrument Of Choice, but I will expand on that a little bit.

While Cigar boxes originated in the mid 1800s, they really hit there stride around the depression years when people couldn’t afford musical instruments and after that they kinda fell out of favor.

However, recently there has been a large resurgence of these instruments, almost like a cult following and there are tons of people making and playin them.

They even have a cigar box guitar museum, in Alexandria, PA and an Extravaganza every year in Huntsville, AL

The first rule (I found out) is that there are no rules, and there is a movie out there called “Songs Inside The Box” that is all about this resurgence of the CBG.

I think the beauty of these things, is that you are free to think outside of the box!

My Experience With The CBG

So since I got my new Cigar Box Guitar the other day, I have been scouring the internet for info and how to’s and have been amazed with the vast amount of info that is out there.

I just took a 10-week class to learn how to play a regular guitar all over the fretboard and in the course of that, I got to learn some music theory and while some theory is helpful with the CBG, you can do just about anything and no one can say your wrong!

Even while writing this post, I found myself, while doing my due diligence, getting distracted and picking up mine and going off on a tangent, trying different things and just enjoying playing this thing.

The video I am putting in this post, is my first attempt to actually play a song and I had only been playing for 24 hours when I recorded it.

It’s not great and I had never had a slide on my finger before, but I was impressed with how easy it was to get the basics down and be playing away.

I am really looking forward to becoming proficient with my instrument and will be doing live shows in a couple of months.

Outro (that’s a musical term – means I’m done)

So this is going to be a quick post, since I need to work on my other blog Cigar Pals and want to get back to playing my Cigar Box.

You no longer have to wonder, what is a cigar box guitar? Now you know, and if you watch the video, you will have actually seen one being played and if you follow the link above, you probably saw someone play one well and know a lot more about them.

Feel free to comment in the section or ask any questions you may have

Till next time:

Lets ride, smoke and jam!