Viols

Although superficially a bit like a cello, the viol, or viola da gamba is a distinctly different instrument. It has 6 or 7 strings, compared to a cello's 4, and is tuned quite differently. Other differences are that the viol has frets, and the bow is held with an underhand rather than an overhand grip.

Viols come in a number of different sizes, and all except the largest are held between the player's legs. They were traditionally used mainly as consort instruments, with viols of different sizes playing together, but in Trio Grosso we mainly use the viol to provide a good solid bass line.

The viol originates from late 15th Century Spain from where it found its way to most parts of Europe. It was the preferred bowed stringed instrument of the upper classes until the violin family gained in popularity in the 18th Century.

The instruments pictured here are:

• Top: bass viola da gamba built 1995 by Matthew Charles Bolliger
• Left: tenor-bass viol built 1986 by Monika Cowell
• Middle: alto viol built 1988 by Monika Cowell
• Right: soprano viol built 1990 by Ernst Bolzli

To find out more:

• Australian Viola da Gamba Society
• Kirk Mcelhearn and Jonathon Dunford's Viol site
• Viola da Gamba Society of America