A Decades-Long Decline for the Guitar
Over the past few decades, the guitar’s popularity had been on a steady decline. Most younger generations no longer listened to guitar-driven music, and guitar sales consistently fell throughout the late 2000s and 2010s. Between 2007 and 2017, for example, sales of the instrument dropped by about a third. Pop and hip-hop took over the mainstream, genres that often left out live guitar completely or relied on samples instead.
Between 2014 and 2017, most Top 40 hits included little or no real guitar. Younger audiences — millennials and Gen Z — didn’t grow up with guitar heroes, and many of the old icons had passed away or were aging. Even Eric Clapton remarked in 2017 that “maybe…the guitar is over.”
The Unexpected Pandemic Guitar Boom
Then, seemingly overnight, the pandemic and its lock down orders sparked a surprising turnaround — a true pandemic guitar boom. People flocked to learning the guitar, some picking it up for the first time, others returning after years away. Major brands like Fender, Gibson, Martin, and Taylor, along with retailers such as Sam Ash, Guitar Center, and Sweetwater, all reported record sales in spring 2020 — the highest in their histories.
Fender’s learning platform, Fender Play, surged from 150,000 to over 900,000 users. YouTube guitar tutorial views skyrocketed. Even the CEOs of these companies admitted they hadn’t expected this wave of enthusiasm, especially as economic conditions worsened.
Why the Guitar Became a Lockdown Escape
So what drove this pandemic guitar boom?
First, many people who never had time to learn finally found it. With social lives, offices, and entertainment options shut down, a new hobby offered a welcome distraction.
Second, psychologists suggest that this trend reflects a deeper coping mechanism. As Gibson CEO James Curleigh noted, “it’s a signifier of deeper psychological currents” in a population traumatized by COVID. Binge-watching shows or scrolling endlessly on social media left many unfulfilled. Learning an instrument, in contrast, demands focus and rewards progress. According to neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Levitin, challenging the brain with something new and rewarding can be deeply comforting in stressful times.
Will the Guitar Boom Last?
Inevitably, as bars, restaurants, and sports returned, some of those new guitars may have ended up in closets. There were early signs of fading enthusiasm, including a small dip in tutorial views and a 2.4% sales decline after summer 2020.
Yet there is hope that this pandemic guitar boom will have a lasting impact. Many new guitarists were young — 20% were under 24, and 70% under 45. A notable portion were women or female-presenting, breaking the old stereotype of the male guitar hero. Perhaps a new generation of shredders will rise from this moment, bringing guitar culture back into the spotlight for years to come.
How Canyon Entertainment Supports New Musicians
At Canyon Entertainment Academy, we believe the pandemic guitar boom shows how powerful music can be in uncertain times. Whether you just picked up your first instrument or want to master your skills, we offer lessons, coaching, and industry training to help you thrive.
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