the vihuela
TRANSCRIPT
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