The Cello

The cello or the "violoncello" is part of the violin family. However, unlike the violin/viola which is held on the shoulder, the cello is held between the knees. Like the violins, the earliest cellos only had three strings and were tuned to F,c and G.

The fourth string added the B-flat below bottom F. In 1532 the modern tuning of C,G,d,a is first mentioned. Also like the violin/viola the cello is tuned in fifths. However, the same pattern of fingering could not be adopted due to the size of the instrument. At the same time as the fingering being developed, a standard size was made by Antonio Stradivari. The standard length turned out to be 75cm(30inches).

Bowing techniques were changed in the 18th century. As the century progressed the bow became more curved, which gave the player more control over the bow. This in turn caused the player to produce a bigger and more expressive range of sound and articulation. Over the years, technique for the violons was adopted to the cello. EX: multiple-stopping and harmonics. At the end of the 19th century the cello was no longer held between the knees. It was then supported by a tailpin which rests on the floor. This allowed more freedom for the left hand. The bow developed a concave profile and was shorter and thicker then those of the violin and viola.

The result of the above mentioned is the appeal cellos appeal as a solo instrument. It was in the Mozart pioan pa piano trio where the cello occasionally stepped into the lime light as a natural bass of the group. The cello developed two personatlites due to this. One was the traditonal bassline inorchestral works, while the second was the expansion of the range which the romantic composers exploited.

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