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Cello History & Characteristics

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Part of the video series: String Instruments

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Summary: The cello was first made in Italy in the 16th century. Learn more about the beautiful instrument known as the cello with tips from a composer and musician in this free music video.

Views: 378 | Tags: bass, string, classical, instruments, musical, orchestras, violins, violas, cellos

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About the Expert

Lennon Leppert Lennon Leppert is a film composer and songwriter. He has worked on projects produced by The Discovery Channel, The History Channel and The Learning Channel. H... read more

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Video Transcript

Cello History & Characteristics

The cello was first made in Italy in the 16th century. It was made, because composers wanted a lower toned instrument than the violin and viola, so the cello was made, and it was originally made without an end pen, so the celloist would have to hold the cello in between their knees, which I can't even imagine. We don't have cellos like that nowadays, they all have end pens and stuff, but it must have been very hard to play. The full name of the cello is called the violin cello, which refers to the fact that it was developed from the relatively unknown bass violin, rather than the viol. The cello has been used in a lot of different kinds of settings, from solo, a soloistic concertos and pieces, to the string orchestra, to string quartets. It is tuned like the viola in 5ths, just an octave down. It has a very rich tone, deep, and can play it's role as a bass instrument, if there is no double bass present, and it's a very beautiful instrument.

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