Custom Search

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Dissecting The Various Parts Of The Cello

By Jim Samposzi

The cello is a member of the group of stringed musical instruments and is typically played alone, with an orchestra or included in the collection for chamber music. This instrument is one of the largest string instruments , second to the double bass.

This beautiful source of music is also referred to as a small violone - a large Italian string type which is close to the violin. The reference cello was developed from the Italian reference vioncello which in translation is violin. The cello, though is very close to the violin for cellos have notes in C2 and up to middle C. The cello's strings go as far as G2, D3, and A3. The only difference is that the cello includes an octave lower after proper tuning.

An older-style cello was very well built and looked brilliant in design. The other side, neck, and sides were typically lathed in a premium maple. Also, the top , dipped in spruce. To boot, in these earlier times, cellos were made by hand. However, nowadays, most cellos are made out of a device, out of cheaper wood, and some models, aluminum. The celloin design, is crafted in intricate detailing in the top and side. These skilled etchings are referred to as, purling. These intricate designs are etched for decoration. But, after they become apart of the instrument's body, they become mended to the instrument as a whole. If a purling is chipped or split, it will continue running down the body of the cello and damage the whole thing.

A popular recipe for cellos lately has been carbon fiber. These kinds play best outdoors and last longer. Others prefer cellos made of carbon fiber because they say the sounds are of a unique clarity. Also, carbon fiber and aluminum cellos are known to last a long time and be resistant to splintering, chipping, or running.

Cellos have other intricate parts such as, the peg box, holes, and scroll. The wooden neck exists towards the top of the violin giving it a classical look. The peg box sits above the carved neck and the fingerboard makes way to the peg box, which secures the strings and includes keys for tuning. The scroll is the swirly end of wood that is located on the top. Scrolls are traditional to cellos and most stringed instruments of this group.

The strings of the cello are usually made of metal or synthetic materials. Most of the cellos sold today are stringed with aluminum or titanium. Also, chrome is sometimes used as well. As with all these type instruments, musicians possess their ideas and preferences on what type of strings they have to use.

The base portion of the cello contains strings, a tailpiece, end pin, bridge, and f-holes which are holes in the shape of the letter F. Then, next up the line, the bridge contains the strings up above the hollow. The f-holes are the f-shaped craters on either side of the aforementioned metal bridge. The tailpiece secures all the strings in place against the hollow of the torso. Then, even lower, the end pin weights the object for optimum play.

About the Author: