bass-viol
Definition
- Noun:
- A musical instrument: "bass-viol" refers to a large, stringed musical instrument of the viol family, typically played with a bow and held between the legs, similar to a cello but often tuned differently. It is also known as a viola da gamba or bass viol.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The musician performed a Baroque piece on the bass-viol. (A large, bowed string instrument from the viol family.)
- In the early music ensemble, the bass-viol provided a deep, resonant bass line. (The instrument contributed low-pitched sounds.)
Advanced Usage
- "bass-viol" vs. "double bass": While both are large string instruments, the bass-viol is part of the viol family (with frets and a softer tone), whereas the double bass is part of the violin family (usually unfretted and louder). In modern contexts, "bass-viol" is sometimes used interchangeably with "double bass" in informal speech, but technically they are distinct.
- He plays the bass-viol in a historical performance group. (He uses a viola da gamba for authentic period music.)
Variants and Related Words
Bass viol (n): a common alternative spelling or name for the same instrument.
- The bass viol is often used in Renaissance and Baroque music. (The instrument is associated with early music periods.)
Viol (n): a family of string instruments that includes the bass-viol, tenor viol, and treble viol.
- The viol family has a distinctive, mellow sound. (All viols share similar construction features.)
Synonyms
Viola da gamba: the Italian name for the bass-viol, meaning "leg viol," referring to how it is held.
- The viola da gamba is a precursor to the modern cello. (A historical string instrument.)
Bass fiddle: a colloquial term sometimes used for the double bass, but rarely for the bass-viol itself.
Related Idioms
- (None specific to "bass-viol" as a standalone term; it is primarily a technical musical term.)
Phrasal Verbs
- (No phrasal verbs are associated with "bass-viol," as it is a noun for an object.)