Johann Gottfried Eduard Bayer (20 March 1822 – 23 March 1908), usually known as Eduard Bayer, was a German composer for the classical guitar and a virtuoso performer on the guitar, harp guitar, mandolin and zither.Bayer was born in Augsburg. He was the son of a civil servant who died early. At age six, he became a member of the boys choir at the local St. Ulrich's church. In his youth, he was employed as an engraver and worked for the company for six years. A local municipal official named W. Schmölzl introduced him to the guitar, giving him scores and tuition materials from Sor, Giuliani, Legnani, and Mertz. He gained such proficiency that by around 1843, he could give up his engraver's job and become a professional guitarist. In 1848, after a number of successful recitals in his hometown, he set out on a tour through Germany together with a certain Loe, one of his most talented pupils. Apparently, they were not successful and on the brink of returning home when at Darmstadt, their fate turned: "Having to pass through Darmstadt on their journey they were quite unexpectedly commanded to play before the court and they received genuine and hearty applause from the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess, the latter being a daughter of King Ludwig of Bavaria. Being now provided with weighty recommendations, they left the town which had provided them with such a pleasant surprise and from this time their success was assured."