the vihuela

Most popular instrument all over the Iberian Peninsula during 16th century

Lower importance in the Italian Peninsula

Greatest splendor on the Spanish Court It was only encouraged along the Iberian

Peninsula

Vihuela Lute

Vihuela has a similar form to the guitar. It is made of wood and it has a handle with a

variable number of frets, usually ten strings. It has a small cross bar to attach strings to the

vihuela, it is called “cordal”.

It has a sound box, with one or more holes in the lid 

The box has straight side walls (riscle) and a flat bottom or a little bit corrugated

The tuning of the strings is Sol-Fa-La-Do-Re-Sol.

 According to the illustrations preserved, it seems that there were a lot of variability with the instrument forms and sizes .

The music written for vihuela was vocal music written in tablatures or arrangements, vocal pieces with vihuela, and dance and instrumental pieces.

Vihuela ‘s repertoire is similar to the lute’s. They have the same tuning so we can play the same piece with the two instruments.

High note string

Low note string

Figures: each figure refers to the fingered notes in the tablature

Fingering for the left hand (open strings)

Fingering for the right hand (2nd Fret)

3 String (F#)

A tablature transcription by Luís de Milán, XVI Century

Transcripció d’una tabulatura de Lluís Milà (segle XVI)

Video