Viola da braccio instrument
Viola instrument
The viola da gamba is occasionally confused with the viola, the alto member of the modern violin family and a standard member of both the symphony orchestra and string quartet. In the 15th century, the Italian word "viola" was a generic term used to refer to any bowed instrument, or fiddle.Violoncello instrument The German word for viola ("bratsche") is said to come from "viola da braccio" ("viola for the arm"), which is what instruments in the violin family were referred to in Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries. An early viola. Its sloping shoulders show its lineage from the viol.
Viola da gamba The viola da braccio was played on the arms, had low ribs, four strings across a curved bridge and a round back. The viola da gamba was played at the legs, had high ribs, five to seven strings across a flatter bridge and a flat back. Essentially, the term ‘viola’ was used for all such instruments in Italy.
Bratsche (viola) As we all know, members of the modern orchestral string family have names that are based on the word “viola da braccio”, which is translated to “on the arms”, a term used to distinguish between the violin and viol. 2. Violas Have an Interesting Design The process of making a traditional viola remains almost unchanged to this day.