Violin Facts. Cello. Cellos were derived from other mid- to large-sized bowed instruments in the 16th century, such as the viola da gamba, and the generally smaller and squarer viola da braccio, and such instruments made by members of the Amati family of luthiers. The invention of wire-wrapped strings in Bologna gave the cello greater versatility. By the 18th century, the cello had largely replaced other mid-sized bowed instruments.
[citation needed] A person who plays the cello is called a cellist. Etymology[edit] The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violoncello,[1] which means "little violone", referring to the violone ("big viol"), the lowest-pitched instrument of the viol family, the group of string instruments that went out of fashion around the end of the 17th century in most countries except France, where they survived another half-century or so before the louder violin family came into greater favour in that country, too. Description[edit] Cello close-up History[edit] Current use[edit] Symphony No. 9 ~ Beethoven. Stjepan Hauser - Oblivion (Piazzolla)
Requiem For A Dream: Epic Violin, Cello, and Drums. Steven Sharp Nelson - Moonlight - Electric Cello (Inspired by Beethoven)