answersLogoWhite

0

Because it is easier than holding it like a guitar. Also, the name chin rest is misleading. You hold it more around your jaw.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Music & Radio

What is a chin cello?

The term "Chin Cello" affectionately denotes a moderately large (generally 16 inches in length or more) viola that is tuned an octave lower, which is consistent with the tuning of a cello. The traditional cello is played sitting down, but the "chin cello" is played under the chin, hence the name. The strings are able to be pitched lower by using a special thicker gauge of strings that are capable of producing lower notes.


Which two instruments of the violin family have a chin rest?

a violin and a viola


What did the first cello look like and how was it played?

The early instruments that were the predecessors of the cello were called viola da gambas. They came in several sizes, all played between the legs like a cello but with no endpin and they had frets. They also evolved from the viola da braccio which is more like the violin because they were held under the chin. The first cello as we know it today was made in the mid 1500's by Andreas Amati.


Where did the viola come from?

The viola is an descendant of the Vielle family of instruments which originated in Italy in the mid to late 1400's. (it is not known exactly when the Vielle family was invented or by whom.) These instruments were called Fiedel in Germany and were played "on the arm" leading to the name "Viola da Braccio" in Italy (to differentiate them from the family of "viola da gamba", which were played with the instrument resting on the legs). The closest relative to the viola is the Violin. (The Viola d'amore, which was used in the Baroque period, and was played in the same manner as the violin and viola, but had 6 or 7 strings which were fingered on a fingerboard with frets like the Viola Da Gamba, and had additional sympathetic strings under the fingerboard which vibrated 'in sympathy' with the bowed, fingered strings.) The Viola is the Alto of the Violin Family. It also fills the part of tenor, when another violin is filling the voice of alto (i.e., in String Quartets and symphony orchestras). Attempts at a Tenor viola produced an instrument so large that it could not be played under the chin, and was held similarly to the cello. The earliest iconographic evidence of a viola is in the 1534-5 frescoes in the dome of the Sanctuary of Soranno. The earliest known surviving viola was made in 1560 by Andrea Amati. The viola has been treated as a solo instrument right along with the Violin. In the Baroque era, the solo potential of the instrument was realized by composers such as Telemann, Vivaldi and J. S. Bach, who wrote several concerti, sonatas and other solos for the instrument. Often, composers of the era claimed the viola as their favorite of the violin family.


what two stringed instrument are way too big to put under your chin?

The double bass and the cello are two stringed instruments that are too large to comfortably be placed under the chin. The double bass, being the largest of the string instruments, is played standing up or sitting on a stool, while the cello is typically held between the knees while seated. Both instruments require a different playing posture compared to smaller string instruments like the violin or viola.

Related Questions

How is the violin viola cello and double bass held and played?

The violin and viola rests on the shoulder with the chin resting on it. You use a bow on all of these instruments.


What is a chin cello?

The term "Chin Cello" affectionately denotes a moderately large (generally 16 inches in length or more) viola that is tuned an octave lower, which is consistent with the tuning of a cello. The traditional cello is played sitting down, but the "chin cello" is played under the chin, hence the name. The strings are able to be pitched lower by using a special thicker gauge of strings that are capable of producing lower notes.


Where ia a viola held?

The viola is held in between your chin and left shoulder. Same as a violin :)


Which two instruments of the violin family have a chin rest?

a violin and a viola


How is the cello different from the violin and the viola?

You hold a cello between your knees, whereas you hold a viola/violin between your chin and shoulder.


What two instruments are held beneath the chin?

The violin and the viola are two instruments traditionally held beneath the chin while playing. This position allows for better control of the instrument and facilitates proper bowing technique.


How are viola's played?

I play the viola. The viola is played just like the violin with the instrument resting on your shoulder.


What did the first cello look like and how was it played?

The early instruments that were the predecessors of the cello were called viola da gambas. They came in several sizes, all played between the legs like a cello but with no endpin and they had frets. They also evolved from the viola da braccio which is more like the violin because they were held under the chin. The first cello as we know it today was made in the mid 1500's by Andreas Amati.


What is a kerchief tied under the chin?

A babushka is tied under the chin.


Categories the viola is under?

The viola is in the strings category or section.


Is viola in band or orchestra?

Viola is played in orchestras.


Where did the viola come from?

The viola is an descendant of the Vielle family of instruments which originated in Italy in the mid to late 1400's. (it is not known exactly when the Vielle family was invented or by whom.) These instruments were called Fiedel in Germany and were played "on the arm" leading to the name "Viola da Braccio" in Italy (to differentiate them from the family of "viola da gamba", which were played with the instrument resting on the legs). The closest relative to the viola is the Violin. (The Viola d'amore, which was used in the Baroque period, and was played in the same manner as the violin and viola, but had 6 or 7 strings which were fingered on a fingerboard with frets like the Viola Da Gamba, and had additional sympathetic strings under the fingerboard which vibrated 'in sympathy' with the bowed, fingered strings.) The Viola is the Alto of the Violin Family. It also fills the part of tenor, when another violin is filling the voice of alto (i.e., in String Quartets and symphony orchestras). Attempts at a Tenor viola produced an instrument so large that it could not be played under the chin, and was held similarly to the cello. The earliest iconographic evidence of a viola is in the 1534-5 frescoes in the dome of the Sanctuary of Soranno. The earliest known surviving viola was made in 1560 by Andrea Amati. The viola has been treated as a solo instrument right along with the Violin. In the Baroque era, the solo potential of the instrument was realized by composers such as Telemann, Vivaldi and J. S. Bach, who wrote several concerti, sonatas and other solos for the instrument. Often, composers of the era claimed the viola as their favorite of the violin family.