Bass viol

Bass Viol is a string instrument from the viol family that is played in a similar manner to the cello. The bass viol, also known as the violone or viol da gamba, is larger than a cello and has six or seven strings, as opposed to the cello's four. It is fretted, and its strings are usually tuned in fourths.

History

The bass viol was developed in the 15th century in Europe, and it was a popular instrument in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It was often used in both solo and ensemble settings. The bass viol fell out of favor in the 18th century as the violin family became more popular, but it has seen a resurgence in the 20th and 21st centuries due to the historically informed performance movement.

Construction

The bass viol is typically made of spruce or maple, with gut strings. It has a flat back and sloping shoulders, unlike the cello's rounded back and shoulders. The bass viol also has a fretted fingerboard, which is made of a softer wood, such as spruce, and is covered with parchment. The instrument's tailpiece and endpin are typically made of ebony.

Playing Technique

The bass viol is played with a bow, similar to other string instruments. However, the bow is held in an underhand grip, as opposed to the overhand grip used in the violin family. The player sits and holds the instrument between their legs, similar to a cello, but the bass viol is supported by the player's calves rather than an endpin.

Repertoire

The bass viol has a rich repertoire, with many works written for it by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Marin Marais, and Antoine Forqueray. In addition to solo works, the bass viol was often used in basso continuo, a method of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period.

See Also

• Viol
• Violin family
• Historically informed performance
• Basso continuo