What does viol mean in music?

viol, also called viola da gamba, bowed, stringed musical instrument used principally in chamber music of the 16th to the 18th century. The viol shares with the Renaissance lute the tuning of its six strings (two fourths, a major third, two fourths) and the gut frets on its neck.

What is the difference between viol and violin?

Violins and viols are played differently. Viols are played vertically, while violin family instruments (with the exception of the cello) are played under the neck. Viol family instruments are fretted, with 5 to 7 strings, and are tuned in perfect 4ths with a major third in the middle.

Is a cello a viol?

Despite their similarity in size and shape, the bass viol and the cello belong to different families. 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.

What’s the difference between a viol and a viola?

All members of the viol family are played upright (unlike the violin or the viola, which is held under the chin). All viol instruments are held between the legs like a modern cello, hence the Italian name viola da gamba (it. “viol for the leg”) was sometimes applied to the instruments of this family.

How is a viol played?

doth no lesse delite a man: for it is verrie sweet and artificiall.” The viols were bowed instruments with frets. They were usually played held downwards on the lap or between the legs (the name viola da gamba translates to leg viol).

Why did the violin replace the viol?

The idea of getting everyone who could play or sing to contribute communally had gone. As for the violins, the cello gradually assumed the functions of both tenor and bass, and the bass violin disappeared, to be replaced by the even bigger and deeper double bass, which could really kick out the low notes.

Is bass viol the same as cello?

The violin is the smallest, followed by the viola, which is only slightly bigger and looks similar. The cello is significantly larger than the first two and the bass is the largest. The size of the strings also varies in both thickness and length, which plays a role in the instrument’s range of notes.

Who created the viol?

Andrea Amati
Who made the first violin? The oldest existing violin, built by Andrea Amati. Compared to its ancestors, the violin is in a class by itself in terms of completeness. In addition, it was not improved gradually over time, but appeared in its current form suddenly around 1550.

How heavy is a viol?

Weights of Violin, Viola, and Cello Violins, ready to play with chin rest, weigh from under 400 grams. very occasionally, to over 500 grams. Usually the heavier violins are not the best sounding ones.

Which string instrument descended from the viol family?

Both “violin” and “violoncello” are rooted in the word “viola,” so the other instruments were most likely invented later on. The double bass—or contrabass—might have different origins. Differences in the body of the instrument, the tuning, and the flat back suggest that this instrument originates from the viol family.

How do you use bass viol?

The fingers of the left hand are used to stop the strings against the fingerboard, aided by the frets. 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.

Where was the viol used?

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.

What is the meaning of viol in English?

Definition of viol : a bowed stringed instrument chiefly of the 16th and 17th centuries made in treble, alto, tenor, and bass sizes and distinguished from members of the violin family especially in having a deep body, a flat back, sloping shoulders, usually six strings, a fretted fingerboard, and a low-arched bridge.

What year was the viol invented?

1510
The viol was invented, or probably developed from earlier instruments, in Italy around 1510.

Is the double bass a viol or violin?

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.

How big is a bass viol?

Bass Viol String Tensions The string length is assumed to be about 68cm and the pitch standard is assumed to be a-415.