Noun
(music) A guitar-like string instrument of 15th- and 16th-century Spain, usually with six courses or sets of strings (twelve strings in total).
(music) A guitar-like string instrument of 19th-century Mexico with five strings, typically played in mariachi bands.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgAccording to viol historian Ian Woodfield, there is little evidence that the vihuela de arco was introduced to Italy before the 1490s. Source: Internet
Both "vihuela" and "viola" were originally used in a fairly generic way, having included even early violins (viola da braccio) under their umbrella. Source: Internet
A guitar recital may include a variety of works, e.g. works written originally for the lute or vihuela by composers such as John Dowland (b. Source: Internet
In its most developed form, the vihuela was a guitar-like instrument with six double strings made of gut, tuned like a modern classical guitar with the exception of the third string, which was tuned half a step lower. Source: Internet
Spanish composers wrote mostly for the vihuela ; their main genres were polyphonic fantasias and differencias (variations). Source: Internet
Instead, the lute like vihuela appeared with two more strings that gave it more range and complexity. Source: Internet