Editing Cello (section)

{{Short description|Bowed string instrument}}
{{Redirect|Violoncello|the racehorse|Violoncello (horse)|other uses|Cello (disambiguation)}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox instrument
|name=Cello
|names=Violoncello
|image=Cello front side.png
|image_capt=Cello, front and side view.
|background=string
|hornbostel_sachs=321.322-71
|hornbostel_sachs_desc=Composite [[chordophone]] sounded by a [[bow (music)|bow]]
|developed={{Circa}} 1660 from [[bass violin]]
|range=[[File:Range cello.png|130px|center]]
|related=
*'''[[Violin family]]''' ([[violin]], [[viola]])
*'''[[Double bass]]'''
|musicians=
|articles=
|sound sample =[[File:Bach - Cello Suite no. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - I. Prélude.ogg|thumb|center |Bach, Cello Suite no. 1 in G major]]
}}

The '''violoncello''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|v|aɪ|ə|l|ə|n|ˈ|tʃ|ɛ|l|oʊ|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Cello.wav}} {{respell|VY|ə|lən|CHEL|oh}}, {{IPA|it|vjolonˈtʃɛllo}}),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/pronunciation/english/violoncello |title=violoncello noun – Pronunciation |website=Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com |access-date=October 4, 2016}}</ref> normally simply abbreviated as '''cello''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɛ|l|oʊ}} {{respell|CHEL|oh}}), is a middle pitched bowed (sometimes [[pizzicato|plucked]] and occasionally [[col legno|hit]])  [[string instrument]] of the [[violin family]]. Its four strings are usually [[intonation (music)|tuned]] in [[perfect fifth]]s: from low to high, [[scientific pitch notation|C<sub>2</sub>, G<sub>2</sub>, D<sub>3</sub> and A<sub>3</sub>]]. The [[viola]]'s four strings are each an [[octave]] higher. Music for the cello is generally written in the [[bass clef]]; the tenor clef and [[treble clef]] are used for higher-range passages.

Played by a ''[[List of cellists|cellist]]'' or ''violoncellist'', it enjoys a large solo repertoire [[Cello sonata|with]] and [[List of solo cello pieces|without accompaniment]], as well as numerous [[cello concerto|concerti]]. As a solo instrument, the cello uses its whole range, from bass to soprano, and in [[chamber music]], such as [[string quartet]]s and the [[orchestra]]'s [[string section]], it often plays the bass part, where it may be reinforced an octave lower by the [[double bass]]es. [[Figured bass]] music of the [[Baroque music|Baroque era]] typically assumes a cello, [[viol|viola da gamba]] or [[bassoon]] as part of the [[basso continuo]] group alongside chordal instruments such as [[pipe organ|organ]], [[harpsichord]], [[lute]], or [[theorbo]]. Cellos are found in many other ensembles, from modern [[Chinese orchestra]]s to [[cello rock]] bands.