In International Guitar Month: Hello Again

April continues to astonish me in the most extraordinary way as a month deeply intertwined with music. This time, for being International Guitar Month. And what makes it even more special is that, beyond the fact that the instrument I love to play the most takes center stage, it also becomes the “seed date” of this story: April 1st.

Yes. And the reason is that I had intended to relaunch this blog with written content on April 1st—a date that frames profoundly important moments in my life, ones I will tell you about later, involving people I love and forever linked to music.

I even managed to draft several paragraphs of that special piece I had in mind to publish—something editorial in tone and deeply personal—but I couldn’t finish it.

Days later, while doing some reading in search of information that might help me fulfill that intention, I discovered that April is International Guitar Month.

OMG! I honestly couldn’t believe it. The idea completely drew me in—it made me smile, quite literally—and today I’m sharing it to bring this space back to life.

April: International Guitar Month

It began to be celebrated in 1987, after the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) established it with the aim of promoting guitar sales around the world.

And it turns out the initiative was far from in vain, since—according to various reports—many well-known music stores and retailers offer attractive deals and good prices for those interested in purchasing high-quality guitars.

So, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional guitarist—or simply an enthusiast—you have this month as the perfect excuse not only to play the guitar and honor this wonderful instrument and the artists who inspire you to play it, but also to take the opportunity to acquire a new guitar and bring to life the most beautiful melodies of rock, ballad, punk, folk, and many other musical genres.

You even have available the hashtags #InternationalGuitarMonth and #GuitarMonth to share this celebration across social media.

Other dates related to the guitar

• World Guitar Day – September 21
• National Guitar Day in Spain – February 11
• National Guitar Day in Mexico – October 20
• Guitarist Day in Venezuela – September 2
• National Guitarist Day in Argentina – July 7

The importance of April 1st

Keeping my promise to later explain the significance that the first day of April holds for me, here are the reasons.

On April 1st, 1951, my mother, Digna Espinoza, was born. Beyond being a lover of good music, she is the daughter of a musician (Manuel “Mañito” Espinoza), the granddaughter of a musician (Manuel “Maño” Espinoza), and the wife of a musician (Gastón Vitanza); and, well, also the mother of a musical adventurer.

On April 1st, 2004, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Social Communication – Journalism from the Bicentenary University of Aragua. The godmother of my graduating class (VI ECOS-UBA Cohort): my mother, for whom I performed for the very first time that day the song “Primero de Abril,” which I composed inspired by her—her birth and her birthday.

On April 1st, 1989, the song “Eternal Flame,” which has marked a significant part of my life since the very first time I heard it, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

I learned that last detail last year, after in early April 2019—after many years—I reunited with the aforementioned song composed by Susanna Hoffs, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg, and originally performed by Hoffs with her band The Bangles.

And from this year onward, I obviously must add another reason: since April 1st, 1987, International Guitar Month has been celebrated.

How wonderful!

Before Saying Goodbye

With this blog now officially reactivated and within the frame of this celebration, it would be fitting to share—with you, among other things—some famous quotes inspired by the guitar. However, I will do so through the words of three very special guitarists in my life.

“The guitar is a symbol of our commitment to music”
(La guitarra es un símbolo de nuestro compromiso con la música)

Christopher Patterson (US – 2019) | Poet, wise soul, and passionate music lover

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“As for the Coronavirus, I'm ok and I'm feeling good. I think my guitar is protecting me”
(En cuanto al Coronavirus, estoy bien y me siento bien. Creo que mi guitarra me está protegiendo)

John Williams (UK – 2020) | Musician and music teacher

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“I am in love with this guitar, and have been for over 30 years. Very grateful for the pleasure and joy it has given me!”
(Estoy enamorada de esta guitarra y lo he estado durante más de 30 años. Muy agradecida por el placer y la alegría que me ha brindado)

Susanna Hoffs (US – 2020) | Singer-songwriter and founding member of The Bangles

And finally, here I share with you the link to the written tribute I made a couple of years ago to my guitar: Mi Vieja Amiga Verde.

Sources

National Day Calendar (International Guitar Month – April)
National Today (International Guitar Month – April 2021)
Checkiday (International Guitar Month)
Qué día es (National Guitar Day – February 11)
Mexican Institute of Radio (Radio México Internacional on National Guitar Day)
Caracas Free Mind (Guitarist Day)
FM Manantial 89.3 (July 7 – National Guitarist Day)