The Vihuela and the Guitar in the XVI Century

by José Rodríguez Alvira

The Vihuela is a string instrument similar to the acoustic guitar that played an important role during the XVI century in Spain similar to the lute in Europe. The Spanish vihuelista produced an important collection of music for this instrument.

At that time the guitar had four pair of strings. Although some of the vihuelistas composers also wrote for the guitar most of the guitar repertoire in the XVI century was created by French composers.

• Repertory and Composers
• Tuning
• Use of the Tablature
• Tempo Markings
• Development  of Musical Language