violoncelo

In Italian, the suffix –one means big, and the suffix –ello means small. Violone, or “big viola,” was an early name for the double bass. But our friend the “bass arm viola” was smaller than the violone, so a diminutive had to be added, turning violone, the big viola, into violoncello, the little big viola.

The historical violoncello has evolved to become the instrument we now know as the “cello.” The violoncello appeared by the early 16th century, part of the “violin family” of stringed instruments. The violoncello – like its siblings, the violin and viola – has four strings.

A cello is a musical instrument with four strings that looks like a large violin. You play the cello with a bow while sitting down and holding it upright between your legs.

The instrument commonly called a cello is also known by its formal name, the violoncello. Learn more about the history of the violoncello and how the instrument has evolved.

Cello is actually an abbreviated word. The full name name for the instrument is violoncello, which translates to “little violone.” The violone, which was larger, is the direct ancestor of the double bass.

A traditional violoncello (or cello) normally has a spruce top, with maple for the back, sides, and neck. Other woods, such as poplar or willow, are sometimes used for the back and sides. The top and back are traditionally hand-carved. The sides, or ribs, are made by heating the wood and bending it around forms.

The term "cello" is a shortened form of violoncello, the name given to the bowed string instrument which is between the viola and double bass in size.

violoncello Cello is actually an abbreviated word. The full name name for the instrument is violoncello, which translates to “little violone.” The violone, which was larger, is the direct ancestor of the double bass.

There are three different types to choose from when buying a cello, characterised by their main material: traditional wooden cellos, electric cellos, and carbon fibre cellos. Wooden cellos are the most popular and most commonly recommended for beginners as they come in a wide range of sizes and prices.

The cello is played seated, with the right hand either directly plucking the strings or drawing a bow across them to produce sound. The left hand is used to press strings down against the fingerboard to create specific pitches - unlike a guitar there are no frets, so getting the right note is all about practice.

word Violoncello, which means 'small double bass'.

Pablo (or Pau) Casals was born in December 1876 in El Vendrell, Catalonia, where his father was the local organist and choirmaster. Carlos taught his son to sing, to play the piano and organ and to compose. At six the boy heard an itinerant Catalan musician play a home-made cello.