The term "violone" (pronounced in Italian as [vi.oˈloːne, vjo-]) refers to several large, bowed musical instruments that belong to the viol or violin family. The word "-one" means "large" in Italian. A violone may have six, five, four, or even three strings and can sometimes have frets. It is not always a contrabass instrument. Today, people often describe a violone by adding a word that explains its tuning, such as "G violone" or "D violone," or by noting its origin, like "Viennese violone." Other terms, such as "bass violin," "violoncello," or "bass viol," may also be used for clarity. The term "violone" can correctly describe many different instruments, but identifying the exact type can be difficult, especially for those unfamiliar with the historical variations of viol and violin family instruments and their tuning differences.

Usage

In modern times, the term most often refers to the double bass, a bowed string instrument that plays an octave lower than the written notes in early music groups performing Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical era music on period instruments. However, the term can also apply to members of the violin family and 'cello-sized' instruments from both the violin and viol families, which play at the written pitch. Only a few musicians specialize in these instruments, and some use modern copies instead of original historical instruments.

Types

There are many different instruments that have been called "violone" throughout history. Some are similar in size to a cello and play music as written. Others are larger than a cello, sometimes as big as modern double basses. Most of these larger instruments play an octave lower than written, but some can switch between octaves. The type of instrument is not determined by its size or family, but by its tuning. This helps classify it as part of the viol or violin family.

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, many musicians and composers did not clearly describe which specific instrument they meant when they wrote "violone." Some musical pieces even left it up to the ensemble leader to choose which instruments played which parts. This is different from the Classical period, when music was more standardized. For example, a string quartet usually includes two violins, a viola, and a cello.

In the 2000s, musicologists and historians began to focus on identifying exactly which instruments composers intended to use. Classifying violones into types helps clarify their roles in music. Bowed string instruments are grouped into families so that different sizes can play different ranges. Treble instruments (like violins) play high notes, while bass instruments (like double basses) play very low notes. The violin family includes instruments like the violin (soprano), viola (alto), cello (tenor), and bass (bass). The viol family also includes many sizes, such as treble viols, tenor viols, bass viols, and great bass viols.

The term "violone" refers to most large string instruments from the viol and violin families, as well as some hybrid instruments. These instruments function as tenor or bass members of their families. It was not until the 20th century that people realized there were many types of violones, and not all sounded like double basses. Classifying them by tuning, family, and function helps understand composers' intentions.

Cello-sized instruments are usually the tenor members of their families but can play in higher (alto or soprano) or lower (bass or contrabass) ranges. Three types of cello-sized instruments include:

• Bass viol: A six-string instrument from the viol family, often tuned in D. Some Baroque instruments had a seventh string tuned to A1.
• Bass violin or basse de violon: A four-string instrument from the violin family, slightly larger and lower in pitch than a cello. Tuned B♭1–F2–C3–G3.
• Cello (violoncello): Still used today, with four strings tuned C2–G2–D3–A3.

Great bass viol (also called G violone or A violone): The next largest viol after the bass viol, with six strings tuned in A or G. It can play at 8′ or 16′ pitch. It was used as a solo or chamber instrument, in ensembles, and as a double bass.

Other instruments in this category include:

• D violone: The largest viol, with six strings tuned in D, an octave lower than the bass viol.
• Viennese violone: A hybrid instrument with features of the viol family (frets, gamba shape) but tuned in D major (F1–A1–D2–F♯2–A2). Played mostly at 16′ pitch.
• Contrabass or double bass: Instruments with three or four strings, often without frets. Tuned in fourths (E1–A1–D2–G2) or fifths (C1–G1–D2–A2). Some had three strings for a richer sound.

In the Renaissance, Baroque, and even modern times, musicians sometimes adjusted their instruments. For example, bass viols might be tuned in E or C2, tenor viols in F (called baritone viols), treble viols in B♭ (called contralto viols), or double basses with a higher top string (A1–D2–G2–C3).

History

The violin and viol families were introduced to the Western world around the same time (about 1480) and were used together for many years. During the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, these two families had different roles and were valued differently in society. Viols were mainly played by wealthy and educated people in their homes as a way to enjoy music and spend time. In contrast, violin family instruments were used in public events and performed by professional musicians. At this early stage, the largest violin family instrument commonly used was a cello-sized instrument, but it was often tuned a whole step lower than today’s cello (B♭1–F2–C3–G3). While larger instruments called violoni were mentioned in the violin family, fewer descriptions of them exist, and their tunings varied widely. There was little need for a very large instrument that could double an 8′ bass line at 16′ pitch. Human-sized violin family instruments were first used for dramatic effect in operas and later in orchestral settings like concerto grosso.

In contrast, large viol family instruments were more common and used from the earliest times. They played at 8′ pitch, and Renaissance viol consorts often included many large-bodied instruments. Great bass viols with A and G tunings are described in many musical writings, and there is a lot of music that requires these instruments because of their low range. Some of this music is very complex, such as the viola bastarda pieces by Vincenzo Bonizzi, which use a 3 + 1⁄2 octave range. Both men and women played these large instruments, as seen in Bonizzi’s 1626 collection, which honors three women, and in paintings showing women playing large viol family instruments.

A major technological change happened in the 1660s in Bologna with the invention of wound ("overspun" or "overwound") strings. This was important for bass instruments because it allowed for strong, clear low strings without making the strings too thick or long. Around this time, the term "violoncello" was introduced, and the standard cello tuning (C2–G2–D3–A3) became common. A solo repertoire for the cello began to develop, and the cello gradually replaced the G violone or A violone as the main bowed bass instrument for basso continuo. These changes likely led to the decline of the G violone and A violone. However, this period also saw the growth of instrumental ensembles and the rise of interest in concerti and symphonies.

For musicians who previously used G violoni or A violoni as their main bowed bass instruments, the cello taking over the 8′ role allowed the larger G violoni and A violoni to be used as 16′ doubling instruments, playing an octave below cello-sized instruments. Most descriptions of D violone tuning appear in the early 18th century. By this time, most other viol family instruments had disappeared, except for the bass viol, which remained popular for solo and chamber music. The largest viol family instruments (G and D violoni) were still used in some regions even after other areas had replaced them with three- and four-string contrabasses or double basses. This may explain why the modern double bass has many different forms, tunings, and playing styles. Today’s double basses have features from both the viol and violin families, including flat or curved backs, sloping or rounded shoulders, and tunings such as E1–A1–D2–G2 or, less commonly, C1–G1–D2–A2.

Terminology

In the early sixteenth century, the word "violone" was first used. At that time, the word "viola" referred to any bowed, stringed instrument and did not mean a specific type like a viol or violin. Historically, "violone" has described various large string instruments, regardless of their family. Today, "violone" sometimes refers to the modern double bass, but it most commonly refers to a historical instrument. As a historical instrument, "violone" can describe any of the types mentioned above. Additionally, "violone" is the name of a type of pipe organ stop. This stop is made of metal or wood and is located in the pedal division of the organ. It produces a string-like sound and is set at a pitch of 16′ (one octave below written pitch) or, less commonly, 32′ (two octaves below written pitch).