Generally shortend to cello, the violoncello is a bowed string instrument in the violin family.
The word violoncello comes from Italian. It is the diminutive of violone (large viol), itself derived from viola with the augmentative suffix -one and then the diminutive -cello. Thus, violoncello literally means "little big viol." Over time, the name was shortened in common usage to cello, although the formal term remains violoncello.
The cello emerged from the bass violin as part of the violin family's development in northern Italy in the 16th century. The cellos gained prominence in ensembles, replacing the viola da gambia in many contexts. During the 18th century, luthiers like Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe refined its design, giving it the proportions we recognize today. The cello became a central instrument in Romantic music in the 19th century, with composers like Schumann, Dvořák, and Saint-Saëns writing major concertos. The cellow remains vital in orchestras, chamber music, and solo repertoire in the 20th and 21st centuries, while also expanding into jazz, rock, and film scores.
Traditionally, the top portion of the cellos is made of spruce, while the back, ribs, and neck are maple, and ebony is used for the fingerboard and pegs. The cellos has four strings tuned in perfect fifths (C2-G2-D3-A3). Its body is about 75 centimeters long, with deep ribs to enhance resonance. The sound is produced by the vibration of strings transmitted through the bridge to the resonant wooden body. The f-holes allow air to move, amplifying the sound. The cello's large body supports rich low frequencies, while the bow's friction excites string vibrations. Harmonics and overtones give the instrument its warm, human-like timbre.
While playing the instrument, cellists are seated, supported by an endpin that rests on the floor. The right hand controls the bow, producing sound through varied bow speed, pressure, and placement. Techniques include legato, spiccato, sul ponticello, col legno, and pizzicato. The left hand presses strings against the fingerboard to change pitch, using shifting and vibrato for expression. The cellow covers nearly five octaves, from deep bass to lyrical tenor lines, making it one of the most versatile instruments in the orchestra.
Accessories specific to the cellow include the bow, which is made of Pernambuco wood or carbon fiber, strung with horsehair. Rosin is applied to the bow hair for grip on strings. The endpin and endpin stop/strap stablizes the cello on the floor. The mute softens and alters tone for orchestral or solo effects. A case and humidifier protects the instrument from damage and climate changes, Other tools might include tuners, metronomes, stands, and cleaning cloths.
With its deep resonance and singing upper register, the cello bridges the human voice and instrumental sound, representing centuries of musical artistry.
This portion of our guide is for online informational resources about the cello. E-commerce or retail websites selling musical instruments can be found in the Musical Instruments section of our Shopping & eCommerce section, or an applicable subcategory.
Recommended Resources
Founded and run by cellist and teacher Billy Tobenkin, Adult Cello is an online teaching platform offering expert cello instruction specifically tailored to adult learners. Online courses include a flagship 30-lesson program called "Cello in 30 Days," designed for adult beginners, private lessons and expert instruction focused on adult learning challenges and strengths., and free resources such as a guided 30-minute lesson video, an 18-page e-book, and a practice planner.
https://www.adultcello.com/
Led by Carolyn Hagler, founder, director, and a tenured cellis, the website highlights student testimonials and claims high rankings among online cello courses. Cello Discovery is an online cello school focused on adult learners offering a structures, sequential curriculum of on-demand video lessons and supplemental resources. Its core offerings include on-demand lessons, live classes, interactive scores, and an in-house online communit with grop options, teacher feedback and a virtual choir.
https://cellodiscovery.com/
The online museum and compendium is dedicated to the cello, and offers informational articles, digital exhibitions, and other resources for cellists and cello lovers. Articles include regular posts and series and collaborations with New York composers. Other resources include online cello courses and resources for cellists, a museum shop that provides for apparel and merchandise. Shop policies and affiliate relationships are featured, and contact details are offered.
https://cellomuseum.org/
Created by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University, this is a cello pedagogy and technique site that offers articles, video tutorials, and teaching ideas for players and teachers at all levels. Articles on techniques and fundamentals cover tension release, body mechanics, and progressive technical ideas from beginner to advanced levels, and video tutorials accompany many articles to demonstrate exercises and bow/left-hand technique visually.
https://www.celloprofessor.com/
The Portland Cello Project is an indie cello ensemble from Portland, Oregon, that reimagines the cello by performing across genres, collaborating widely, and engaging in community outreach. Its stated mission is to bring the cello to unexpected places, perform music not normally associated with the instrument, and bridge musical communities through collaboration and education. The ensemble mixes Western classical tradition with contemporary, indie, and popular arrangements.
https://www.portlandcelloproject.com/
The online hub for cello players offers instructional content, ensemble lessons, articles, event listings, and opportunities to post or find competitions. The content of its website features ensemble-focused lessons and rehearsal-management material, including examples with noted ensembles and repertoire highlights, a public calendar listing upcoming events, and articles on artisitc vision, practicing, performance mindset, and related topics, as well as curated competition listings.
https://cellobello.org/
This is an online cello resource offering tutorials, technique analysis, courses, webinars, private lessons, and a blog focused on improving cello technique and musicality. Structured lessons available on Udemy are highlighted, along with live interactive sessions combining scale work, exercises, approachable pieces with real-time questions and answers, and practice strategies and performance tips. Also available is one-on-one instruction with customized learning plans and real-time feedback.
https://www.cellopedia.org/
The ICS was founded in 1994 by cellist and educator John Michel to build a global online community for cellists. Its mission was to promote the joy and knowledge of cello playing through digital collaboration and resources. Michel directory the organizationf or 12 yeares before Tim Janof took over as editor and continued its development. In 2008, ICS officially transitioned its legacy to CelloBello, a modern platform for cello education and community. This is an archive of the ICS website.
https://www.cello.org/
