Introducing the Viola da Gamba

[@richsackett3423]

Finally an instrument perfect for the small rooms in my palace.

[@annedwyer797]

Funny! that made me laugh out loud.

[@steve154life]

Also tha clavichord iz goed in small Space's and iz tha viol de amour

[@David_Jr]

Well met, good Sir Rick!

[@carpenter.recordings]

😂

[@beyondannonymous9955]

what about se violoncello my good sir?

[@falouerba7730]

In Italian it means “The Viola of Leg”

[@ivelisseys7285]

Literally.

[@nazliuz]

🤣

[@HoneySarahChan]

tbf it would translate better to "leg viola", or "viola for the leg". The "da" has the meaning of "used on" in this case as the instruments rests on your leg when playing. Similar to the violoncello da spalla, which is a small cello that is played resting on your shoulder (spalla).

[@SunOfTheia]

The would make sense

[@eylam9690]

Don't tell them. We must keep that a secret!!

[@herbcraven7146]

As a lifelong cellist, I've always been curious about the Viola Da Gamba. Thank you for a wonderful demonstration of its unique capabilities!

[@morgant5680]

This instrument takes all the hard parts of playing cello and makes them easier. Hate playing high because it means going up the fingerboard? No problem, here have 3 extra strings! Hate playing chords because it's hard to get all the strings at once and stretch your fingers to make them in tune? No problem, here have a flatter bridge and closer together strings! Hate worrying about your intonation and having to avoid open strings? Here have some gut string frets that will make all your notes in tune, and don't worry about open strings because guess what: now all notes are open strings! It makes me wonder why we kept the cello 😂

[@franktalarico689]

Bowing individual strings quickly is very challenging I would imagine

[@emma-gx1hj]

hotel? trivago

[@Rh0mbus]

morgan t You act as if people made instruments to be hard. They were made for creating music, not to be a challenge. You can make several of those faux arguments for piano. Chords, open strings! You name it! The purpose of the gamba instruments vs the violin family were very different, and evolved over time. Every instrument has different challenges, and different uses. Don't just ride this family of instruments off because they dont seem as hard to play as some other instrument you play. Look into it more, you may find a lot of awesome history and music! :)

[@MW-iz8wz]

cuz cello make gud song :x

[@velxcity07]

MAZAqur true!!

[@andrewb9974]

As a cellist for 25 years+ in orchestras etc, I've always had a hard time describing that you can't just hire me alone for a wedding. There is no counter part...I need a violin, or a pianist to accompany me. No one understands. This instrument provides the necessary dynamic to perform as a true soloist. Recently, I've taken up guitar to fill that void. Because of it's rare nature, it would be difficult/impossible to find a tutor for this instrument locally. But if I could...I think I'd nail it. It would fill a void needed in my life personally. Fantastic video...why this isn't more prevalent is beyond me.

[@katschs3965]

Andrew, check out Www.vdgsa.org for info on the instrument and links to local players and teachers. There are also teaching videos for the viol on the website. The viol is alive and well and possibly being played near you.

[@RolandHutchinson]

Andrew, may one ask where "locally" is for you? We violists da gamba may be thicker on the ground around you than you suppose.

[@jiafeiskinnyproducts]

Must be hell when you start, imagine learning how to not bump into any of the other strings.

[@humanllusion590]

That's what i thought, especially for the three strings in the middle

[@groofay]

I'm a violist who recently started playing viol, and can confirm unintentional double-stops are frequent at first. The bridge is so flat!

[@xeurika]

The bridge on this is probably more curved than normal idk

[@bobagreen8668]

Geoff Britton when crossing strings to to move your elbow up and down instead of your hand. It will just take a while but you will get used to it

[@frackiewicz123]

Cellist and now struggling with the gamba. Yeah, it's a pain. And then I go back to cello and the strings seem so far apart!

[@traceysedlakova4383]

Took my kid to the museum of music here in Prague, and he fell in love with the sound of the viola da gamba. So fascinating... thank you!

[@jeremiah3355]

Give your kid a thank you from me. The appreciation of this instrument means a lot to me :)

[@waynedombrowski7568]

Will you adopt me? That's wonderful!

[@traceysedlakova4383]

We’ve actually watched this video several times. ❤️

[@elmore707]

I visited that museum too when I was in Prague. Such a nice place, even more for people that play instruments.

[@benedictahardy9742]

BRING BAck VIOLA DA GAMBA 2k19

[@yoshi_drinks_tea]

Emily Evans Palace?

[@olin2955]

I feel so blessed to play the viol, definitely one of the most beautiful instrument meant for one of the most beautiful music ever written

[@jeremiah3355]

And why people hate it so much I'll never know. The Viola is beautiful

[@nextlifeonearth]

@@jeremiah3355 The viola as seen in modern music is not directly related to the viol family. It got its name (in Italian) from the viol, but is really just related to the violin, which was developed separately. Viol = viola da gamba (italian name) Viola = alto violin. The hate for viola comes from multiple things, like it takes longer to get a tone out of it than a violin, so viola players are infamously late (especially if they play both the violin and viola). The repertoire is not as vast and therefore does not contain as many hard pieces as the violin, so viola players tend to be less skilled. Now the viol family is another beast that's not quite comparable. Different tuning, frets, bowing, stance etc. Viols don't really have a bad rep, they barely have a rep because they're mostly forgotten in even modern classical music.

[@jeremiah3355]

@@nextlifeonearth They don't have a bad rep. True, but people still piss on it for no reason

[@jeremiah3355]

@@nextlifeonearth also, cool. Thanks, you learn stuff every day 👌

[@patrickcannady2066]

you are blessed indeed if you have opportunity to play this magnificent instrument. I have no aptitutde for strings but appreciate the gamba and its repertoire very much.

[@MrAristaeus]

I know a few ‘vile tenors’... but not many ‘tenor viols’.

[@roccotarli762]

MrAristaeus haha

[@slappy8941]

Ba-DUM-tsss!

[@OnDasherOnDancer]

I’ve known vile tenors too...most of em, actually.

[@FictionWriter95]

This implies that you've met a *non-vile tenor.* Where'd you find _that_ unicorn?

[@jpendleton4331]

The Tenors in my choir at school are very ( only a few are not). Especially because I sing low bass in 5th grade. But one of my best friends has the voice of a low countertenor.

[@graced4844]

ok but when did cello scrolls stop looking like ship figureheads? that’s so cool

[@anthonycarlisle6184]

Always heard it pronounced "vee ole" new to me hearing it as "vile"

[@Zavendea]

As a viol player, I’ve always said it “vile”

[@ShawnBoucke]

Things like the “vee-ola” d’amore are part of the “Vi-ol” family. You might be thinking of that instrument.

[@WeedMIC]

Maybe yanks pronounce it closer to Italian. Brits say vile

[@gilltennant9237]

@@WeedMIC I don't, and I've been a musician since 1950.

[@WeedMIC]

@@gilltennant9237 i just looked it up (in the pocket oxford - which lists rp first), rp is vail

[@simontoth9101]

Funnily enough, 4 months after the video, I'm starting on the Gamba today. I'm a classical bassist originally and I love this tiny thing that fits in my lap!

[@mena1432]

THAT VIOLA BE THICCCC

[@thatsEforEveryone]

Thicc with some potatoes on the side

[@David_Jr]

Thiccer than cold oatmeal!

[@dbaaaj2314]

BOIIIII HE THICCCC!

[@gabrielpaludo6913]

But it's not thiccer than a shibe doggo.

[@bogdang7726]

@@thatsEforEveryone wut

[@sneddypie]

the tone color is so beautiful

[@Toasttoasttoasttoast]

The viol family is really unique and versatile, I’m surprised it died out and I’m disappointed it’s such a rare type of instrument, I’d never heard of it before I got interested in how different baroque instruments are from modern day variants

[@alya7610]

That one dislike is from twoset

[@humanllusion590]

OML Hellooo LingLings

[@LemonMeIon]

Sacrilege...

[@nazliuz]

🤣

[@iwantmy2dollars662]

i'm from two set and this thing's beautiful

[@moegerms]

oh shit

[@enzoma7253]

worth mentioning that Jordi Savall is basically a god of viola da gamba living among us mere mortals, gracing us with his celestial performances

[@patrickcannady2066]

He is indeed. When I see him perform it's like we are getting a window into the late 17th-early 18th century world of courtly music.

[@arnoldrivas4590]

Jaap der Linden is one of his disciples.

[@EdMcF1]

Thank you for mentioning him, all I need add is 'Canarios'.

[@monicacall7532]

Jordi is my gamba idol. He inspired me to start learning to play the bass gamba with 7 strings. I’m a professional cellist and can say that comparing the two is really like comparing apples and oranges. The bow hold is the most challenging thing to get used to.

[@chambermuses7802]

And Lucile Boulanger, who just won the Diapason d'Or for her Bach-Abel album, is a goddess of the gamba (and former student of Christophe Coin).

[@ScrogginHausen]

These videos featuring the players and instruments are great, but there doesn't seem to be many videos where we can hear them together in concert.

[@annedwyer797]

All you have to do is search "Age of Enlightenment Orchestra" on KZbin!! It ain't hard.

[@ScrogginHausen]

@@annedwyer797 Like I said, not many videos, and not with these featured instruments together.

[@eldritchcroon]

The group Fretwork have uploaded some good ones.

[@ceciliabrunni1539]

Try " voices of music"

[@alicet909]

Do you mean that you cannot find any viola da gamba music? Viol consort music will have a group of different viols playing together. There is consort music here. Also try Jordi Savall and his discography

[@barney6888]

I shall take my hat off to this virtuoso/artist without hesitation. A beautiful and brilliant presentation on an istrument that truly plays from the heart, to the heart. Especially by such a master musician as Jonathan Manson. What an incredible privelage it is for us music lovers to learn from such artists, who have worked and sacrificed, with much love, to develop such skill and bridge that gap between people's hearts. i shall go out and buy a dozen more hats and take them off too.

[@Lira_man]

Great introduction to this great instrument. This guy is truly a master. All of his movements testify the dedication and countless hours of practice.

[@shostysboo]

This instrument is so cursed. From the amount of strings, to that bow hold, to the way it’s sits in between his legs. I love it🥰

[@Zack-xz1ph]

finally, my dream instrument

[@vf7vico]

the pinnacle achievement in Western string instruments, IMO, beautifully explained and played. thank you for this!

[@antoinepetrov]

Thank you for including Marin Marais in this video!

[@mcmh9523]

Classic example of "looks weird, sounds great".

[@mal2ksc]

It doesn't even look that weird, but it does sound great. It looks a bit like a modern extended range bass guitar, as far as spacing and scale length goes. Attach a nice sound box with cutouts on the side for the bow, and you have this.

[@songfulmusicofsongs]

I think it looks great. Like the ancestor of the upright bass.

[@VIM365]

@@songfulmusicofsongs it looks like a double bass because they’re both of the viol family.

[@vaughnhale7903]

Never has a viola sounded so good in all of history

[@Tr1sh4Lynn]

My mom-law has loved this instrument for ages. I can’t recall how many she has now, but I think she’s played or owned all of the various tones at one point in her life.

[@gregaaron89]

Rob Scallon wants to know your location

[@nazliuz]

does it Djent ?🤣

[@awertyuiop8711]

Teuku Nazli kurniawan Well, its a 7 string and it goes all the way down to A, so why not?😎🎸

[@jeremymikush6203]

Ah! It would be a dream to learn this instrument. So resonant and brilliant in a soft and supple way, gah!... I mean it's simply such a sexy sound (to me!). What a wonderful series. Thanks!

[@vicbanks9079]

Aside from such an articulate explanation of the instrument, I've never seen anyone so physically engaged in the bowing and sound production of a stringed instrument, jazz bass cello included. It's so different and dramatic. Now I'm looking for Viola da Gamba pieces to listen to. Many thanks for the stellar presentation!

[@nenechonlisboa4127]

Really nice instrument that I discovered a few years ago through the works of Marin Marais. Dear Mr Manson, I am quite suprised by the way you breath with your instrument. We can hear your breathing, which does not alter your playing at all. I am just surprised because I am a recorder / flute / tinwhistle player so for me , hearing a player's breath is related to winds instruments and not to strings ! That is quite nice in fact as we can hear through your breathing that you are "embodying" the music, feeling it through your own self ! :) Thank you :)

[@Mini_Min_]

I've always loved this beautiful instrument. Thank you for the wonderful presentation! ❤

[@annedwyer797]

Thanks Jonathan Manson and the OAE, for this video! I just love the gamba's voice, so warm and intimate. Can't get enough!

[@1LaOriental]

Love, love love the viola da gamba! Thank you for this! ♥️🙏🏼♥️🙏🏼 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Bravo.

[@MsrAlaindeFerrier]

Omg I absolutely adore the sound of the viola da gamba

[@wdashwor]

What a beautiful and versatile instrument! And what beautiful pieces! This really makes me interested in exploring more music for it.

[@dixonqwerty]

Beautiful instrument and an absolutely fantastic video! Great display of the instruments characteristics and performance. Added to my favourites! Greetings from Sweden

[@stephenowens8779]

Great video! I became a fan of the viola da gamba through the recordings of the great Jordi Savall. Thank you for this introduction to the instrument!

[@JosMorn1]

I absolutely adore the sound of the viola da gamba and the entire consort of viols!

[@nellyd9280]

I particularly enjoyed the last piece. ❤

[@steveburton2410]

Hoping these can somehow make a comeback! As you say, it is very expressive, especially in your hands, sir!

[@nathanjasper512]

Those perfectly tuned moving double stops are pretty awesome.

[@callieperry7002]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the video.

[@eylam9690]

Wow, when he plays his facial expressions range from 'ecstatic orgasm' to 'Imma drop dead anytime now', and even 'I'm gonna beat you senseless'. Well done!

[@robloxmaniacdanceandshake7871]

Who couldn't love this incredible sublime sound......

[@andreafalconiero9089]

Indeed! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6iTc4hmZ9GHrdk

[@bgcellozone]

Lovely tone and playing!

[@Louise-qk2po]

The viola De Gamba sounds amazing and I was mesmirized by the sound of it so I hope it becomes more popular and Eddy from Two set gets to play one. I was pretty fascinated by the recycling of the old catgut frets, I wonder what the violin would sound like with cat gut frets?!

[@UillyP]

Thank you for the absolutely beautiful playing

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

Why did this beauty die out?! 😭 It must be the work of jealous celloes, who just drowned its beautiful chords in orchestral attacks, in which it came up short. Don't listen to the others, Viola da Gamba, you can play along with the uke and guitar in the chamber!

[@patrickcannady2066]

The gamba was not meant for big halls...cello is more powerful acoustically speaking so you need fewer of them to make a big sound.

[@RolandHutchinson]

It was all due to a vast conspiracy of "the enterprises of the violin and the pretensions of the cello" according to the title of a contemporaneous polemic by one Hubert Leblanc.

[@batya7]

Very lovely warm tone when compared to cello playing similar pieces.

[@isaacjames379]

I play the Oboe and English Horn and I cant understand how to properly play string instruments, but I'd certainly love a chance to learn.

[@ttaibe]

My favourite instrument, by far. Thank you!

[@verywrecked_mind]

I'm crying for being a classical guitarist and not a viola de gambaist :'( the form of the left hand in the viola de gamba is so similar to the left hand technique in classical guitar. The sound of this instrument took my heart to heaven.

[@taylordiclemente5163]

The tuning is similar too. The instruments share common roots. You should learn, you'd have an easier time of it than others. Speaking as a person eho plays both instruments.

[@danyelnicholas]

Now that was an excellent introduction with generously illustrated by superb playing. Quite a treat, thank you!

[@oldcrow6990]

It just gets better and better. Thank you!

[@josephle2184]

Creator: so how many strings do you want? The guy: yes

[@gabtroublemaker]

Now move this meme to the viola d'amore videos 😂

[@RolandHutchinson]

Lirone says: how many strings you got?

[@williamdaniels1798]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video! What an incredible sound!

[@mycatisabastard2361]

Absolutely gorgeous tone. I love this instrument.

[@Freawulf]

Amazing presentation, thank you!

[@Louise-zs9rl]

Love the sound of the Viola De Gamba as well as the Lirone, they are so relaxing to listen to. Hope these beautiful instruments become more popular. I love learning violin😁

[@paulchapman112]

Great run down and playing! Love the history too. Thanks!

[@kirstypaterson5507]

My goodness, that's stunning. What a sound.

[@therealzilch]

A very affectionate and accurate introduction to the viola da gamba, thanks. cheers from a very long time gamba player in Vienna, Scott

[@eleidal]

He's very good at not just playing, but also moderating, discussing the instrument. He'd do well as a commentator.

[@TitusLivy777]

I have watched several similar videos featuring members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment recently, and I have enjoyed each and every one. They are extremely well produced, and I have learned countless things that have enriched my understanding of the instruments and of the music that was written for them. I've been very impressed by the performers' ability to explain important...but otherwise obscure...characteristics of the instruments and of their cultural and historical context. The net result is that my already high admiration for the OAE has been increased even further. I'm grateful to all who have contributed to these excellent videos. Music, like all the arts, is a priceless treasure, and thanks to these videos, my appreciation of these gifts has been greatly increased. Thank you!

[@cromwell.is.awesome]

This is my obsolete favourite instrument of ALL TIME! A few 17th century composers that I love that use the viola da gamba are Jean de Sainte Colombe, John Hingeston, and Marin Marais, this is one of the most beautiful sounding instrument (besides pipe organ)

[@lanalight471]

Beautiful sound of the instrument. Thank you.

[@brunomillot2919]

Beautiful, warm and fine sound. Amazing instrument!

[@oboealto]

I had no idea! what a beautiful introduction to this beautiful instrument. Thank you so much!

[@sifridbassoon]

THAT is a beautiful instrument. love the resonance.

[@mariviolataby]

What a fantastic introducing! Thank you!

[@chris-hayes]

What a beautiful sound, great playing to go with it. I really enjoyed this.

[@Samji3877]

wow that was fabulous! I loved watching Jonathan's facial expressions during the last song as he really gets into the heart of his art - inspiring.

[@edgarwalk5637]

In the age of amplification, this needs to make a comeback!

[@stevenbartley6088]

I like it when three or four viols are played (sans vibrato) as a choir. Each playing their part, only being louder when the part requires, then stepping back into line.

[@hhhhh18384]

It is an Italian name and it means "Viola to/for leg

[@parkerfilms1]

Lovely music, a remarkable instrument, and an entertaining and informative video! What a great addition to my Friday. Thank you!

[@koshersalaami]

I notice in the thread people ask why this faded out. The main reason is that cellos are louder. They of course sound different than cellos, thinner and lighter, sort of like the difference in sound between a country fiddle and a violin. This is accentuated by a difference in the playing, not so much between viola da gamba and cello at the time but between viola da gamba and the way cello is played now: cellos are played with constant vibrato, while violas da gamba and other strings of the period used vibrato as an ornament rather than as a constant. That alone gives a big difference in tone. Yes, they’re easier to chord, but not because you can play a lot of notes at a time. You can’t; the neck curve just allows two. However, because the intervals between the strings are smaller and because you usually have six strings (in this case seven), you can get more notes in the chord, and what you do to get the chord is start with a double stop and move your bow so you hit the higher strings sequentially. The video points out that the only surviving member of the viol family is the bass viol. You can tell its lineage three ways: by its normally sloping shoulders, by its fourth tuning, and by German bowing which is underhand like gamba. As the video also points out, earlier on this was part of a family of viols, like the violin family has viola and cello. There are two normal smaller sizes, both with six strings: the tenor and the treble, both of which fell out of use way before the bass. The tenor is played between the legs, the treble is played upright in the lap. The best use of groups of these, called consorts, was in England. If you can find the Holbourne dances, they’re a good example.

[@ulysse321]

Beautifully presented.

[@musicatlas9]

Jonathan Manson is amazing, as usual! Lovely explanation and playing

[@radioaktiv2531]

What a beautiful sounding instrument.

[@suvetar]

It's beautiful - that sweeping opening range, and I quite enjoy that cheeky 3rd in the middle! Thanks so much for exposing more of this fascinating instrument! Edit: Anyone who doubts that Music is truly the language of the Soul, need only watch his fact as his plays that last piece ... I felt you, my man!

[@cattracks9100]

Wow! What a fabulous instrument.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Mar.21/2023@2217. I'm hoping that once settled in 'heaven', alongside the horn this will be played by self. Until that marvelous day, your video surly inspires.

[@narutoandanimefa]

Was hoping you'd play some Jean Baptiste Lully as well! To those unaware: he was the official court composer of Louis XIV and wrote several beautiful pieces featuring the viola da gamba.

[@luciadelmichesculptor5761]

Just love it ❤️ Thank you

[@peskypesky]

Beautiful playing and great explanation.

[@urbangrouse]

Thank you! So beautiful a sound!

[@richardduiventil]

Great sound, interesting to see the expressivity and versatility of this instrument not to be forgotten !

[@victoriavalentine2923]

This is amazing and beautiful!!!!!! And holy moly, I've never seen a bow held like that.

[@stew148]

This is a seriously cool instrument. I have never heard if it before but I’m so glad I found this video. This is awesome!!

[@tonkabeancat1117]

SERiously cool (totally agree!)

[@MichelleFrets]

Wow! This is a really fantastic instrument. Thank you for the introduction

[@gavrinmahaffey3656]

Beautiful playing thank u

[@LiviaCairo]

Oh my! What a perfect video!!!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Thank you for the video! Interesting history! Wish we would have kept the instrument!

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

Thank you so much. Great playing and explanation !

[@mewsdo]

Great introduction of a great instrument... I like the way you launch into demo pieces with no fuss! And play with such panache...

[@brianwolle2509]

i need not say how incredible this, but i believe i shall. incredible

[@bobafettbounty8769]

FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO

[@julianashitindi5421]

Me tooo