bass viol

bass viol (plural bass viols) A fretted, bowed, stringed musical instrument from the viola da gamba family. It occupies the bass range and is the lowest instrument in the family. Similar to (but smaller than) a cello.

The viol (also referred to as the viola da gamba, or gamba) is a European bowed and fretted string instrument played on the leg (da gamba), used at court and in the home primarily during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The bass viol is one of several sizes that form the viola da gamba family, while the cello is the bass member of the violin family, more formally known as the viola da braccio family, literally 'arm fiddles. ' Even though the cello is held with the legs, i.e. 'da gamba,' it is really a large violin.

largest and lowest member of the violin family. synonyms: bass fiddle, bull fiddle, contrabass, double bass, string bass.

The viol differs from the cello in having six strings instead of four, and tuned more like a lute or guitar. This facilitates the playing of chords. The instrument also has frets on the fingerboard to help in that regard.

The standard size for adults is a ¾ double bass. A large double bass such as a ⅞ or 4/4 is very rare and not commonly used unless the person is very tall, 6.5' + in height or they have unusually large hands. A general rule for children is to choose a bass one size smaller than usual violin size for age.

Player - Instrument Interface and Sound Production The right hand holds the nut end of the bow with an underhand grip (palm facing up) and sets the strings into vibration with a bowing motion just above the bridge. The six strings of the bass viol are tuned from low to high to: D2 - G2 - C3 - E3 - A3 - D4.

The 11 Hardest Musical Instruments to Learn

• Violin. The violin is a wooden stringed instrument that's part of a larger family of similar instruments.
• The French Horn.
• The Organ.
• Bagpipes.
• Accordion.
• Oboe.
• Harp.
• Guitar.

bowed string instrument The American bass viol, also called a church bass or Yankee bass viol, is a type of bowed string instrument which enjoyed popularity in early 19th century New England for use in aiding Puritan congregational singers.

double bass, also called contrabass, string bass, bass, bass viol, bass fiddle, or bull fiddle, French contrebasse, German Kontrabass, stringed musical instrument, the lowest-pitched member of the violin family, sounding an octave lower than the cello.

Smaller viols were sometimes held under the chin, similar to a violin. Mid-sized instruments were held in front of the body or on the lap, while larger instruments were held between the knees or even played while standing upright. Viols typically had six strings and frets.

The bass violin was developed in Italy in the first half of the sixteenth century to play in consort with the violin and viola. The first builder was possibly Andrea Amati, as early as 1538. The first specific reference to the instrument was probably made by Jambe de Fer in his treatise Epitome Musical (1556).