The Viols (photo) (audio)

An uncertain origin, the viol and its related instruments became popular during the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. When the Viols and its related instruments were introduced in the seventeenth century, there was a period where neither instruments (viol or Viols) was dominant. Eventually, however, the Viols family dominated. Nonetheless, the lowest of the

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viols in terms of pitch - the viola da gamba - was widely used until the eighteenth century.

Viols have different bowing techniques, different ways of tuning and are lighter than the Viols. Moreover,

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viols are longer and the fingerboard has frets (markings that indicate to the instrumentalist where fingers are placed to change pitch). The frets aren't used in the conventional sense in that fingers don't go on the frets but just behind them. This produces a sound that seems like the fingered string is actually open (in the Viols family, fingered strings sound slightly muffled when compared to open strings). Members of the viols also have six strings. The intervals between each strings are: two fourths, a third and two fourths. Viols don't have standard shapes - Some instruments have flat backs and sloping shoulders, some curved backs and a fuller shape.

The viol bow is curved and produces lighter sound. Thus, viols lack the ability to create stressed sounds. Tension and attacks is also difficult to create on viols.