Exploring the
ORCHESTRA
Cello
Musical Section:
Strings (<p style="font-weight: 400">Instruments that produce sound by means of vibrating strings. Other instruments in this family include: violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar.</p>) . Other instruments in this family: Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin
About the Cello
What it looks like
The cello is even bigger than the viola, so to play it you sit down and hold it between your legs. It has four strings, and you move a bow across the strings to make music. The cello has a beautiful, deep tone and sounds a lot like a person singing.
In an orchestra, the cello can support harmony or take over the melody. It’s often used in orchestras to make the music feel warm and smooth!
Did you know? The hairs of the bow are traditionally strung with horsehair, usually from horse tails!
How to Play
Both Maestros
Sitting on a chair, the cello is placed between your knees with the top resting on your chest.
The left hand presses down on one of the four strings to change the note and the right hand moves the bow across the string to make sound.
Hey Taxi, Follow That Cello!
Yo-Yo Ma is one of the most famous cellists in the world. One day, he left his cello in the back of a cab, which was very scary for him since his cello is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It was like he lost his best friend. Luckily, the cab driver tracked him down, and returned the cello safe and sound. So remember, if you ever take your musical instrument for a car ride, make sure you don’t leave it behind!
