vihuela

/ biˈwela /

noun

1. an obsolete plucked stringed instrument of Spain, related to the guitar

Word History and Origins

Origin of vihuela¹

from Spanish

Example Sentences

Resembling a smaller version of the guitarrón, the vihuela allows the mariachi’s string section to achieve a higher range.

From Los Angeles Times

Growing up around mariachi music, singer-songwriter and Las Chorizeras member Nancy Sanchez says she fell in love with the vihuela’s strumming pattern, which is called “los manicos.”

From Los Angeles Times

Drawing from her roots in traditional mariachi music, she uses the vihuela as a way to put a new spin on her sound.

From Los Angeles Times

“I use the vihuela artistically and approach it as a songwriter first,” said Sanchez.

From Los Angeles Times

Moving from the guitar to the vihuela and finally landing on the guitarrón, the San Fernando Valley musician stuck by the bass as an act of female empowerment — it tends to be played by men.

From Los Angeles Times