Andy Sawyer, age 7, of North Little Rock, Ark., for his question:

WHO WAS THE FIRST GUITAR PLAYER?

Historians tell us that the guitar was probably developed in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago. So the first player was undoubtedly an inventive Egyptian musician.

The Moors, who invaded Spain in 711 A.D., introduced the instrument to Europe. Antonio Torres Juardo, a Spanish guitar maker, created the basic shape and size of the modern guitar in the late 1800s. At the same time a Spanish guitarist named Francisco Tarrega originated modern guitar playing methods. He also composed many fine songs.

Most guitars have six strings, but some have four or 12. The strings are fastened to the bridge, a small strip of wood which is located on top of the instrument. The strings extend along a fingerboard and are tied to keys at the head.