cello

Everyday

A cello is a large musical instrument with four strings, played with a bow while sitting down with the cello held between the knees. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons the cello belongs to the string family with the violin, viola and double bass; it is bigger than a violin and plays lower, warm notes. Children can learn on smaller cellos. In orchestras the cellos sit near the front. The player is a cellist.

Examples

• She plays the cello in the school orchestra. tree →
• The cello has a deep, warm sound. tree →
• A cello is bigger than a violin but smaller than a double bass. tree →
• My brother practises the cello every evening. tree →
• You play the cello sitting down. tree →
• The cellist tuned all four strings. tree →

Note

Pronounced «CHEL-oh» (the c sounds like ch, from Italian). Plural: cellos. Short for «violoncello». Player: cellist (also «ch» sound). Not related to «cell» or «sellotape».