Exploring the contribution of visually-impaired musicians to the evolution of the Spanish guitar.

This article delves into the significant contributions of blind musicians to the evolution of the Spanish guitar. It begins by examining the presence of blind musicians before the 1800s, highlighting their connection to plucked instruments, the monopoly of street music maintained by the Brotherhood of the Blind, and their influence on traditional music and poetry. The discussion then explores the political motivations behind the dissolution of the brotherhood. The article continues by analyzing the 19th-century contributions of blind musicians, including the establishment of schools for the blind, the introduction of Braille, and the development of pedagogical methods for teaching the visually impaired. Special attention is given to the overlooked contributions of notable figures such as Antonio Jiménez Manjón and Francisco Tárrega, the latter of whom began his musical studies with blind musicians after an eye injury left him partially visually impaired for most of his life. The collaborations between these musicians and guitar maker Antonio de Torres were pivotal in shaping the modern Spanish classical guitar. The article concludes by reflecting on the impact of a tactile approach to music on musical perception and tempo, and how it might inspire new perspectives in musical and musicological research.