Viol

The viol, or viola da gamba, is a family of bowed string instruments developed in Europe in the late 15th century and associated with Renaissance and Baroque music. Its name means “leg viola,” reflecting that players sit with the instrument between the legs, in contrast to the violin family held under the chin. Viols are fretted and typically have six strings, though four, five, or six-string varieties exist; they are played with a short, underhand bow. The instrument’s body is carved with a flat back and soundholes, and the neck is long to allow a wide compass of pitches. Sizes range from treble to bass viol, with the bass viol commonly used in consort music. Tunings varied by size and period, but the general approach was to tune in fourths with occasional intervals between certain strings.

From the 16th to the 17th century the viol was central to European courtly and chamber music, used in consorts as well as in solo works such as fantasias and suites. Important composers and players include John Dowland, Jacques de Saint-Colombe, Marin Marais, and Tobias Hume, who wrote extensively for the instrument.

Decline came in the 18th century as the violin family rose to dominance. The 20th-century early music movement revived the viol, with performance practice informed by historical research. Notable modern viol players and scholars include Jordi Savall, Christophe Coin, and Wieland Kuijken.

The viol remains a focus of historical performance and scholarship, contributing to technique, repertoire, and instrument-making traditions.