viola da braccio
Noun A historical string instrument from the viol family, played on the arm (like a modern viola), with a range and tuning similar to that of the modern viola. It is a direct ancestor of the modern viola and violin family instruments.
The term "viola da braccio" is used specifically to refer to this Renaissance and Baroque period instrument, distinguishing it from other members of the viol family which were held between the legs (viola da gamba). * The consort featured a viola da braccio playing the middle voice. * This piece was originally written for viola da braccio.
- The term is often used in discussions of early music performance practice to specify instrumentation.
- It can be used in a collective sense to refer to the entire family of "arm viols" (including instruments sized like modern violins and cellos), which were the precursors to the modern violin family.
- Viola da gamba: (noun) A different member of the viol family, held between the legs ("gamba" means leg). This is a related but distinct instrument.
- Viol: (noun) The family of fretted, bowed string instruments popular in the Renaissance and Baroque eras, to which the viola da braccio belongs.
- Braccio: (Italian, noun) Literally "arm." The word specifies the playing position.
- Arm viol
- (Historical) viola
The term "viola da braccio" has only one specific meaning: it refers to this particular historical string instrument. It should not be confused with the modern orchestral viola, although they are related.
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using "viola da braccio." It is a technical term for a musical instrument.
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a member of the viol family with approximately the range of a viola
