Author: Pat Scasny- IMC Representative, Retired Green Bay Public School Instrumental Music Teacher
My first encounter with the instruments of the string family
came when I was in the fifth grade. The
music teacher at my school said she had just received a brand new cello and it
was just my size! I was intrigued with
its “funny” name and yes, it was my size, standing about as tall as I was. It was a beautiful instrument with its
reddish brown color and curved features.
I was told to sit down and the teacher placed the instrument and me in
the proper playing position. I gently
plucked the lowest string and immediately heard this deep resonating sound that
I could actually feel. I knew at that
moment, my journey into the string world was about to begin.
The cello is the second largest instrument in the string
family. Upon first glance, the cello
looks like a big violin. Since it is
larger than the violin, the cello sounds much lower and is played while seated,
with the performer’s legs on either side of the instrument. The cello has an endpin which rests on the
floor supporting the instrument.
The cello is made of wood, typically spruce for the top and
maple for the back, sides and neck. In
less expensive instruments, the top and back are made of laminated wood. Ebony, a hard black wood is usually used for
the fingerboard, nut and tuning pegs, though other hardwoods such as rosewood
or boxwood can be used. The top and back
of the cello has an inlay border called purfling. While decorative, it is also functional. If the instrument is struck, it can prevent
cracking of the wood.
The cello can be played pizzicato, meaning to pluck the
string or with a bow. The bow is
generally made of pernambuco or brazilwood.
The bow hair is traditionally horsehair but synthetic hair can also be
used.
My journey with the cello ended after eighth grade sadly,
because our high school did not have a string program. I did take another instrument in high school
which I eventually majored in while pursuing my music degree. I always dreamed of getting a cello at some
point in my life, so after I retired, I purchased my very own cello from the
instrumental Music Company.
Stop in at the Instrumental Music Company, 2908 Ontario Rd,
Green Bay, WI, 54311 and maybe your dream may come true too!
No comments:
Post a Comment