1. The Cello By Kate Smith

2. The cello was created in the 16 th century and was made in Italy. Its name in Italian is violoncello although here we just call it cello. The person who invented it was called Andrea Amati. He also invented the violin which is basically the same as a cello but the cello is in the bass clef whereas the violin is in the treble. The cello is 5 centuries old. It can play high and low notes so it is inbetween the pitch of a viola and a double bass. The cello can also play in treble and tenor. The instrument is made out of wood although sometimes it is made out aluminium and carbon fibre. To play the cello you need to use a bow, which is made out of horse hair or you can pluck the cello with your finger. The sound of the cello is produced by vibration on the strings. To make a note on the cello you have to press your finger down in a certain place on the string. The cello sometimes plays the tune but mostly plays background music for the orchestra.

3. The lowest note on a cello is C. C is an open note as well as three others, G,D and A. The cello belongs to the string family and in the string family there are 4 others that join them, the viola, the violin and the double bass. Here is an example to show you where the cello’s sit in an orchestra:

4. Before the cello was invented there was an instrument called the bass violin. The main difference between a cello and a bass violin is the notes and the strings. The bass violin is a bit lower than a cello. As well as this the bass violin had 5 strings, which is quite unusual.Although, the cello looks very similar to the bass violin so you can plainly see where the idea of a cello came from.

5. 1.How do you play the cello? 2.What is the cello’s name in Italian? 3.How do you tune it? 4.What is the wood normally made out of? 5.What is the lowest note you can play on it? 6.What is the cello originally made out of?

6. Please watch this clip of cello playing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=AgZyEpf2cyI

7. Excellent Kate! A – 3 Credits. A brilliant presentation! Lots of interesting information and I thought the quiz was a very clever idea. Well done. Mr Yeates