What's a Vihuela? Find Out More Information About It Spanish Vihuela Blog on Strings

Jun 30, 2022

If you're an avid fan of Mariachi or the Mariachi band, then you're acquainted by the vihuela. It's a small guitar-like string instrument with a unique place in traditional Mexican music. The original vihuela, however, is in fact made of Spanish origin  and does not have much in common with modern vihuelas. Mexico.

The Spanish vihuela has a fascinating backdrop that goes back years, beginning with Spanish Renaissance until it became the mainstay for Mexican Mariachi as well as the predecessor to the Italian the viola.

What exactly is what is a Vihuela?

It is amazing that the Mexican vihuela, which first emerged in the 19 1st century, has no relationship to its famous Spanish predecessor. Despite sharing a design and name, however, the Mexican vihuela was developed by its indigenous people, the Coca Indians in Southwestern Jalisco and is most similar to the Ukulele. (However there's a distinct difference. The Spanish vihuela was able to travel to the west in time and is thought to be the primary source of inspiration for the South American charango and tiple.)

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What number of Vihuela's Strings Have?

The vihuela string is 12 within this Spanish version of the instrument with strings. They are split into six courses (pairs of strings that are used together as one). The Mexican vihuela comes with five strings. The two varieties differ with respect to the string materials. Vihuela strings from the Spanish instrument, made of gut and the strings on that Mexican instrument are made from nylon.

The different types of Spanish Vihuela

There are two primary kinds of Spanish vihuelas: the mano-style vihuela and the vihuela de arco. However, despite the difference in name, they're both identical instruments used in two distinct methods:

  • Vihuela de Mano:Hand vihuela (played by the fingers)
  • Vihuela de Arco:Bow vihuela (played by bow)

The third kind, referred to as the vihuela de penola, is played by using a plectrum. This is called the guitar pick.

The Spanish vihuela isn't often used today, or at very least, not in the popular Spanish music. The Mexican vihuela is still extremely sought-after along with the many other string instruments like lutes that the vihuela has been influenced by over the decades.

Vihuela Music Tutorials and Examples

Since the Spanish vihuela instruments aren't utilized in music of today it is necessary to refer to historical resources for information regarding how the instrument was used. Famous examples include Los seys libros del Delphin by Luis de Narvaez (1538) and Libro de Musica de Vihuela by Diego Pisador (1552),

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