Vihuela is the name of two different guitar-like string instruments: the historical vihuela (proper) of 16th century Spain, usually with 12 paired strings, and the Mexican vihuela from 19th century Mexico with five strings and typically played in mariachi groups.
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Mexican vihuela
While the Mexican vihuela shares the same name as an ancient Spanish plucked string instrument, the two have little to do with each other, and they are not closely related. The Mexican vihuela has more in common with the Timple Canario (see: timple) due to both having five strings and both having vaulted (convex) backs. The Mexican vihuela is a small, deep-bodied rhythm guitar built along the same lines as the guitarrón. Its five nylon strings are tuned like the first five of a guitar, but with the third, fourth and fifth tuned up an octave, ukulele-style.
The Mexican vihuela is used by mariachi groups, most notably in central Jalisco, Mexico. It is played with fingers strumming open chords on the fretted part of the neck.
Tuning: ADGBE – The A,D, and G are tuned one octave above a guitar.
History
Notes
In the browser text based RPG game, Kingdom Of Loathing, the item "Evil Vihuela" has the description:
"According to Wikipedia, "the Mexican vihuela is a small, deep-bodied rhythm guitar built along the same lines as the guitarrón. Its five nylon strings are tuned like the first five of a guitar, but with the fourth and fifth tuned up an octave, ukulele-style." So there you go.
Oh, by the way, this one is evil."
The bulk of the description is taken from this page.
References
- Blattman, Erica et al. (2002). "Mariachi Embraced in Our World". Retrieved April 23, 2005.
Discography
External links
- Mexican music scores. Music sheets for vihuela in the Mariachi orchestra.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
