Violoncello

Violoncello (diminutive from Ital. violone, 'large viol or double bass'), a large instrument of the violin class, held by the performer between his knees. It has four gut strings, the two lower of them covered with silvered copper wire, and is tuned in fifths, the first or upper string sounding A on the fifth line of the bass clef, and the others the D, G, and C successively below. Its compass is from the latter note up to A on the second space of the treble clef, but soloists play an octave higher. Its signature is usually the bass clef, the tenor or treble clef being used for the higher notes. The quality of its tone is even more sympathetic than that of the violin, and instruments by the old makers command equally high prices. It superseded the viol da gamba in the early part of the 18th century.