vihuela

The vihuela, or vihuela de mano, is a plucked string instrument from Renaissance Spain. Shaped like a small guitar with a waisted, rounded body and a relatively flat back, it is part of the lute family. Most examples employ six courses of strings (twelve strings total) arranged in pairs, though some early models varied. It is typically played with the right hand, either with fingers or a small plectrum, producing a bright, articulate tone suitable for polyphonic accompaniment and solo pieces.

Tuning and construction varied by maker and period; there was no single standard. The instrument’s frets are tied, and its scale length and string tensions allowed complex chordal patterns and counterpoint. Players often relied on tablature and staff notation derived from lute practice to guide performance.

Repertoire and influence: The vihuela served as the principal chamber instrument of Renaissance Spain, accompanying songs and performing both solo and ensemble works. Prominent composers include Luis de Narváez, Luis de Milán, and Diego Pisador, whose books preserved a substantial corpus of polyphonic pieces and dances for vihuela.

Decline and revival: With the rise of the Baroque guitar in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the vihuela fell from common use. Interest revived in the 20th century through early-music ensembles, and modern vihuelas are built to resemble historical models, enabling performance of the repertoire on period-accurate instruments.