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The word “violoncello” is the formal name for the cello, the tenor instrument of the violin family.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

plural cellos (formal violoncello) Add to word list Add to word list. B2. a wooden musical instrument with four strings, that is held vertically between the legs and is played by moving a bow across the strings: My girlfriend plays the cello.

A person who plays the cello is called a cellist.

The sound of this instrument is unique. No other string instrument has a perfect range like the cello, the ability to produce a deep, dark, sound or go up and match instruments like the violin in higher registers. None of the other stringed instruments can produce so many tone colours.

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 strings can differ a lot between a violin and a cello. A violin will usually have much shorter, thinner strings, and this is what enables it to hit the higher notes. The strings of a cello are thicker which is what helps to achieve the lower tone.

The cello also has the same four strings as the viola, but they are pitched an octave lower. This is why cello music is written in the bass clef. Like the other two instruments, the thickness of the strings varies, but cellos have the longest strings at around 70 cm.