Cello is a concept that comes from the Italian word cello. The term refers to a musical instrument smaller than a double bass and larger than a viola.
Also known as a cello, the cello is a chordophone: an instrument that generates sounds from the vibration of the strings. Specifically, it is a string instrument with frets, such as the aforementioned violin or double bass. The cello is played with a bow. The musician, called a cellist or violoncellist, sits down and places the cello between his legs, supporting it with a stand or pike on the ground and using the bow to strike the four strings.
The cello’s body (that is, its soundboard) consists of a lower lid and an upper lid held together by a strap. In the center of the top is the bridge on which the metal or nylon strings rest. The bow, in turn, is made of wood with tense bristles. the Venetian Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741); the Germans Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827); and the Polish Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) are some of the great composers who created works or concertos for cello. Among the most famous cellists we can mention Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007) and Yo-Yo Ma (1955). It is important to mention that the position of the instrument, the way of using the bow and the execution techniques have changed over the years. Through modifications to spears, for example, cellists were able to increase the range of the cello.
