What is a viol?
A viol is a bowed string instrument. Similar to the cello, the viol, or
viola da gamba, is played between the legs (hence the name 'viola da gamba',
literally 'leg-viol'). While it is not a direct ancestor of the violin,
there is some kinship between the two instrument families.
Instruments by Joe Baker.
When did the viol appear?
The viol first appeared in Europe in the late 15th century and subsequently
became one of the most popular Renaissance and Baroque instruments. Viols
were heard primarily in ensemble, or consort, music.
What does the viol look like?
Historically, the viol has many shapes and sizes. By the 16th century, a
standard shape for the viol did emerge with broad ribs, sloping shoulders and
a fairly flat, fretted neck.
Instruments by Linda Shortridge.
What does the viol sound like?
Vivement from
Les Goûts réunïs
(1724) by François Couperin,
performed by the ensemble Duo Chelyum.
Some of the different viol sizes include:
- Pardessus (high treble)
- Treble
- Alto
- Small tenor
- Tenor
- Bass
- Violone (contrabass)
Only the treble, tenor and bass viols were regular members of the consort.
Some of the bass-pitched viols were specially tailored for particular
repertoires:
- Division Viol:
An English form of bass viola da gamba, used in the 17th century for
performing free ornamentation by varying given melodies. It was the
equivalent of the European viola bastarda, and was smaller than a
consort bass viol but larger than a lyra viol.
- Lyra viol:
A small bass viol popular in England during the 17th century.
It differed otherwise little from the standard bass viol. Its repertory,
notated in tablature, is pre-dominantly polyphonic and played mainly with
the bow. The sources include pieces for one lyra viol or more, and lyra viol
accompaniment for songs, by composers such as Coprario, Jenkins,
William Lawes and Tobias Hume. At least 60 different tunings have been noted.
- Viola bastarda:
An Italian 16th and 17th century term for a small bass viol,
the continental equivalent of the English Division Viol.
Is the viol tuned like a violin?
The instruments in the violin family have four strings, tuned in intervals
of a 5th. Most viols have six strings, tuned in intervals of a 4th with a
3rd in the middle.
Two exceptions are:
French Baroque solo bass viol which has seven strings
Pardessus which has five strings
Three principal viol tunings are:
Treble: d"-a'-e'-c'-g-d
Tenor: g'-d'-a-f-c-G
Bass: d'-a-e-c-G-D-(A')
What is the bow like?
The bow is slightly convex and held with an underhand grip. Bows used with
the instruments of the violin family hold the bow from the top of the frog.
Because of the underhand grip, viol players can use their fingers to control
the bow and govern the tension of the horse-hair.
What is a consort?
A consort is a small instrumental ensemble for playing music composed before
c1700. Consorts of viols were found at courts as well as in homes from the
early 16th century.
The term was originally applied to groups of different kinds of instruments
as well as the inclusion of voices; the term 'broken consort' is now used in
that sense.
Where was viol music heard?
Viol music was heard all over Europe and England.
England, in particular, has a very rich history of viol composers and
performers. By ca. 1540, Henry VIII had engaged a complete consort of Italian
players. This royal patronage may have inspired an English school of
performance and composition which, fueled by remarkable composers such as
Byrd, Jenkins, William Lawes and finally Purcell, continued to thrive long
after the viol had been superseded by the violin on the Continent.
In France, consort music was not as popular as was the use of the bass viol
as a solo virtuoso instrument. Pieces for viol and continuo accompaniment,
duets for two viols, and trio sonatas for violin, viol and continuo were
written by composers such as Francois Couperin, Boismortier and the renowned
bass viol virtuoso Marin Marais.
In Germany, the viol was played in both solo and chamber music. Heinrich
Schutz incorporated viols in his sacred music; Buxtehude in his cantatas and
sonatas -- in which the viol virtuoso Johann Schenck often performed. J.S.
Bach often used the viol as an obligato instrument in sacred works.
Telemann, and C.P.E. Bach later, used the viol in their chamber
music. The last great German viol player was C.F. Abel, whose career
flourished mainly in England.
Why did the viol fade from use?
The viols have a subdued, mellow tone, best heard in combination with other
viols. The blending of harmonies, intricate rhythms and tone quality can be
most appreciated in a small space.
As the popularity of violin grew throughout the 17th century, the viol could
no longer compete. The violin, with a larger sound and the capabilities of
being heard in the concert halls, became the premiere instrument of choice.
New repertoire, namely the solo concerto, laid the groundwork for the birth
of the virtuoso violin soloist.
Is viol playing still active today?
The 20th century has seen a resurgence of interest in the viol for the
authentic performance of early music. Organizations and universities
worldwide continue to teach and perform early music.
