Mexican vihuela

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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 modern Mexican vihuela from 20th century Mexico with five strings and typically played in Mariachi bands.

1 Mexican vihuela
2 History
3 Notes
4 References
5 Discography
6 External links

[edit] 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 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 vihuelais is a small, deep-bodied rhythm guitar built along the same lines as the guitarron. 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.

The Mexican vihuela is used by mariachi bands, most notably in central Jalisco, Mexico. It is played with fingers strumming open chords on the fretted part of the neck.

Tuning: ADGBE (The G is tuned one octave above a guitar)