How Do You Spell BASS VIOL?

Pronunciation: [bˈe͡ɪs vˈa͡ɪ͡əl] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "bass viol" might confuse some people, but it actually makes sense when considering its history. The word "bass" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, while "viol" is pronounced with a long "i" sound. This is reflected in the IPA transcription of /bæs vaɪəl/. The use of "viol" instead of "viola" or "violoncello" is due to the fact that this stringed instrument was developed in the Renaissance, when the term "viol" was commonly used to describe a family of instruments.

BASS VIOL Meaning and Definition

1. A bass viol refers to a large, deep-toned stringed instrument that belongs to the viol family. Also known as a double bass or contrabass, it closely resembles the cello in shape but is much larger in size. The term "bass viol" is often used in early music contexts, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

   The bass viol typically features a hollow wooden body, usually constructed with spruce, maple, or both, and is intricately carved with F-shaped holes on the front. It possesses four strings, usually tuned in fourths - E1, A1, D2, and G2 - which can be played using a bow made of horsehair or plucked with the fingers. The strings are connected to a wooden tailpiece located at the bottom of the instrument, while the player generates sound by pressing down on the strings against the fingerboard with their left hand and manipulating the bow or fingers with their right hand to produce desired notes.

   With its low, rumbling timbre, the bass viol serves as the lowest voice in many ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and early music ensembles. It provides a solid foundation and adds depth and richness to musical arrangements. Due to its large size and deep resonance, the bass viol is commonly used to play basslines, harmonic support, and rhythmic foundation in various genres, including classical, jazz, folk, and traditional music.

Common Misspellings for BASS VIOL

• vass viol
• nass viol
• hass viol
• gass viol
• bzss viol
• bsss viol
• bwss viol
• bqss viol
• baas viol
• bazs viol
• baxs viol
• bads viol
• baes viol
• baws viol
• basa viol
• basz viol
• basx viol
• basd viol

Etymology of BASS VIOL

The word "bass viol" is derived from a combination of two terms: "bass" and "viol".

The term "bass" comes from Middle English "bas", which originated from the Old English word "bærs", meaning low. In music, "bass" refers to the lowest range of musical notes.

The term "viol" is derived from the Latin word "vīola", which was used to describe a stringed musical instrument. The viol family of instruments developed during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and included various sizes, each with a distinct range. The bass viol, also known as the viola da gamba, was one of the larger members of the viol family and had a deep, resonant sound.

Therefore, the term "bass viol" essentially means a lower-pitched, large-sized stringed instrument.

Plural form of BASS VIOL is BASS VIOLS