Thomas D. Rossing
Phys. Dept., Northern Illinois Univ., DeKalb, IL 60115
The guitar can be considered to be a system of coupled oscillators. The plucked strings excite the top plate, which in turn transmits vibrational energy to the air cavity and back plate. Sound is radiated quite effectively by the vibrating plates and through the sound hole. The considerable amount of research on the guitar during the past 20 years, especially as it reflects on further development of this popular instrument, will be reviewed.