Introducing: The Viola Da Gamba

[@brandonacker]

Hey guys! If you like this "Introducing" series and would like to help me create more videos about rare plucked instruments, consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/brandonacker

[@andidoci1651]

Hey Brandon, I love your videos especially these types of videos. I would love to see the tambur or even saz in your videos, I think they're really important.

[@jkndrkn]

Thank you, Brandon! Can't wait for an introduction to the colascione :]

[@MarkyD.Ingram]

I think it'd pretty cool if make a series where you look new/different instruments like the viola da gamba or another. it'd be really cool to see and already professional musician picks up something completely foreign and see how it plays out.

[@axleblaze123]

Thank you so much for producing this video. It has be a valuable resource for my undergrad dissertation. I am working on adapting cello music for steel string guitar. Focusing on Bach cello suites and the tuning CGDGAD .

[@bearsmith3507]

You need to change the thumbnail asap

[@xanderjcliffe-musicreviews7740]

Craig Trompeter who doesn't play the trumpet.

[@ryeryeryerye]

Lmao

[@VRnamek]

well, at least he still took up music

[@breathe4778]

how do you know he doesn't? It is possible to learn more than one instrument 😂

[@haferbrei7759]

no but he plays the trompet

[@psgouros]

Nominative determinism fail!

[@yoyochris6101]

I was so hype for this. as a cellist, its only my bucket list to play the viola da gamba

[@Rylee_G]

Same

[@Machodave2020]

I've always wanted to play this instrument(s) and I'm a violinist.

[@Aeroswine1776]

That's more of a bucket item than a list.

[@grandmestredespoulpes2435]

@@Aeroswine1776 Or an item on a bucket list

[@davidkeck4999]

Same

[@manitasdeplata01]

Beside musicologists, every instrumentalist or musician can benefit in exploring the rich heritage of instruments as a way to understand the mind of the composers that left behind incredible works of music. My education in "classical" guitar have exposed me to early music and made me explore the original compositions and instruments and widened into other early music instruments. I have been an ardent enthusiast of early music from he times of Christopher Hogwood and Jordi Savall and applaud Brandon's efforts to expose and expand the knowledge of these instruments to new generations musicians and music lovers.

[@jt5029]

Brandon seems like such a chill guy to hangout with.

[@truekingvictory]

Thank you for showcasing the viol Brandon! The intro piece is "Les Voix Humaines" by the legendary Marin Marais, and I had the honor of being in a masterclass with the inimitable Jordi Savall. All of us, including our teacher, were completely star-struck. When he played Les Voix Humaines and we closed our eyes, you could almost hear a tenor singing along. I think the "every instrument was made to sound like the human voice" is incredibly overused and somewhat untrue, but not in this case!

[@fnersch3367]

Can never get enough of early music. I recently built replicas of two guitars (16th C. AD & 16th C. BC). Only recently learned that the guitar has a 4000 year old history. Amazing. Music is endless fascination.

[@JonahSonner]

Came here after listening to Ronn McFarlane's new album which was a duet of lute and viola da gamba! Thanks for showcasing such a wonderful instrument!!

[@harpershittheroad6363]

This content with real musicians and instruments is very attractive. Thank you.

[@galmagen7696]

Please continue doing guest videos, it's so calm and nice to watch!

[@theoneandonlybach]

One of the most amazing instruments of baroque! :-)

[@stephenfreel899]

You would know

[@stellajacobson231]

The viola da gamba must be one of my absolute favourite instrument ever together w the theorbo. Thank you so much doing an introduction video on it! From a violist: Don't forget the viola it's also a part of the violin family :)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Brandon Acker It's basically an Archtop 6 (or 7) Single Course Renaissance lute that you can play with a bow. Very very versatile.

[@groofay]

Aspiring viola da gamba (and da braccio) player here, this was so lovely to see. I love seeing dialogue between two early string musicians.

[@stevenqirkle]

The playing on that intro was really beautiful.

[@ianlarrimore8]

I feel like this is one of those instruments I've been looking for all my life. Like the "gateway" substance to bowed string instrument playing.

[@leonardosouza6290]

My Dad (R.I.P), ever talks about Viola de Gamba, is a melodious, smooth, polite and unique sound thanks to the opportunity to see and hear that!

[@matteocolombo2087]

5:21 That's not a scroll from a violin or viol family member. It's from a completely different instrument called a viola d'amore.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

This is by far my favorite antique instrument :)

[@Brunetto46]

Je confirme, tous les matins du monde était un magnifique film 🎥

[@timh.6872]

The sympathetic resonance of those extra strings makes this thing sound absolutely _beautiful._

[@johntaliaferrothompson6052]

The Double Bass actually is from the viol(viola da gamba) family not the violin(viola da braccio) family. The shape(slope shoulder) of it is very distinctive showed which family of the Double Bass belongs to. The another name of the Double Bass in Italian is called 'Basso a Viola da Gamba' but in modern day we called it the' Contrabbasso'.

[@DjDoggDad]

Then it took a trip to Mexico and became Tololoche.

[@EndOfExistence1337]

This is highly debated, not a fact.

[@johntaliaferrothompson6052]

@@EndOfExistence1337 Viol family is in fourth tuning plus a middle third like the guitar. The Double Bass is in fourth tuning and the Violin family is in fifth tuning. The Viol family usually have 7 strings and with frets. The Double Bass only have 4 strings is because the other 3 string is too short unable to reach to the neck. So just leave it have 4 strings only. The early Double Bass actually have frets like a guitar. The modern day Double Bass have no frets is because have a little influenced of the violin family. The body of Viol and Double Bass is in flattop. The Violin family body is in archtop. The Viol family have C hole and the Violin family have F Hole. The modern day Double Bass have F hole is also a little influenced by the Violin family. The Double Bass and Viol can be played with bow and pick with finger. The Double Bass and Viol can be played with overhand and underhand bow. Not like the Violin family can be only played with bow and only accepted overhand bow. The Viol and Double Bass is invented in 1400. And the Violin family is invented in 1500. So it enough evidence to proved the Double Bass is belongs to the Viol family. The designation of the Viol is between of the Lute & Violin. So that's why it could be played with bow and pick by finger.

[@EndOfExistence1337]

@@johntaliaferrothompson6052 All things that indicate a relationship, sure, but ignoring the vast amount of evidence the other way. Anyway the development of bass instruments is pretty complicated and the double bass was definitely not around in the 1400s lol.

[@johntaliaferrothompson6052]

@@EndOfExistence1337 If i'm not wrong the Double Bass is invented in around 1460 by Silvestro Ganassi.

[@maggiepie8810]

I appreciate that there are musicians who are still keeping the traditions of these historic instruments alive.

[@j.sherwoodowl4826]

I loved hearing it as a solo insturment with voice. Great performances and info. Thanks Craig!

[@joermnyc]

7 strings, frets... Rob Scallion has entered the chat.

[@judahbgameshd4849]

@Moosey *onions have layers*

[@tommygun88]

I was going to say that if it were Rob Scallon, he would try to play Slipknot on it. Lol

[@ediwansilva7761]

hahahahaha

[@lucaslageguida3571]

He sad about not making as much sound. But man, i saw a master playing one time and his sound was sssoooo big, it was like almost as big sound as a modern cello. Crazy stuff. But it was the only time i heard a sound like this

[@Mysterytour7]

Yasss viola da gambaaa

[@oldgoat381]

Brandon playing the treble viol as a tiny lute was like me playing my cousin's violin as a fretless mandolin Except actually good

[@penguindrum264]

Seven Eight Band's violinist sometimes plays his violin like a mandolin. I got into mandolin before violin so sometimes I strum or fingerpick on it.

[@al.m765]

andrew bird is another artists who occasionally plays his violin like a mandolin!

[@KorKhan89]

Can’t wait! I love the viol!

[@danielphendarko2651]

Same, i love the viol too

[@CARD_BOARD_BEAR]

I literally discovered the viola da gamba a week ago and had been listening to tons of pieces dedicated to it, then you post this video. Very epic. As a electric bass player the viola da gamba resonated with me way more than cello due to the tuning and frets.

[@MatthewWaltonWalton]

No time to write a good comment, must go practise the viol! I play seven string bass like the one shown here. But not this well. So lovely to see you showcasing this marvellous and underappreciated instrument.

[@WillaLamour]

How beautiful! Thank you for such an informative video.

[@justaguy8216]

I was searching for Louis XV History and i have Seen the Portrait of this Girl and the Instrument interogate me so i Look and thx For make me discover this beautiful instrument

[@balalaikabeginner]

Can't wait! Already know this is going to be awesome

[@legentilmuyombo4533]

Same here

[@brandonacker]

🎟️Tickets now available for my upcoming classical guitar masterclass: arpeggiato.com/masterclass/

[@mkd0x]

YEESSSSS FINALLY SOME POPULAR KZbinR TALKING ABOUT VIOLA DA GAMBA !!!!!!!!!!!

[@brandonacker]

💥My new online guitar course is open! classicalguitar-pro.com Sign-up for lifetime access to this 6-hour course and start playing elegant classical music today!

[@JakHart]

"a fair amount, from time to time." That really resounded with me.

[@ezraschwartz5201]

Thanks for this video - a real pleasure! Also - embarrassed to admit that I’m a Chicagoan but did not know about Heymarket Opera - got tickets for both film performances, looking forward to these!

[@PoserAddictsLLC]

I'm surprised you didn't not get any comments that this instrument the Viol di Gamba was one of the favorites of French King Louis XIV, which he mastered and studied under his music master Jean-Baptiste Lully. This was a huge part of the music played in Versailles before the 1700s. And King Louis XIV and his brother were quite the proficient players.

[@Persillebalzm]

I think that's a part of that movie they mention, tous les matins du monde or something

[@susanrozendaal5062]

Craig rocks!! amazing musician...

[@saintsi6997]

Very interesting video, well done. Interesting location music/ bonsai shop!

[@DavidTutmarkGuitar]

Love the videos in this series, way to go Brandon!

[@DaveBennett]

I was so waiting to hear Thunderstruck! 😂 I loved this video on this instrument. I liked when you used lute formations on the treble instrument. It sounded quite nicely plucked.

[@oceanusprocellarum6853]

Eyy this is a really cool instrument! Frets, strings, and chords, that's really darn unique! Maybe next cello da spalla?? I wonder what influence it has had in the development of modern orchestra.

[@someonespecial1329]

Brandon: Craig can we have lute Carig: We have lute at home Lute at home: 12:50

[@alifmuhammadchicago]

Chicago?! That awesomeness is in my backyard? Gimme da Gamba.

[@Lochlannach661]

There's a really good Viola Da Gamba player in KC. He delves a lot into the Moorish/Ottoman roots of the instruments and mixes in some Celtic as well. It's really something to watch him play live.

[@jackadder2106]

This is going to be fantastic.

[@bearclaw007]

Enjoying watching Brandon geek out.

[@raminagrobis6112]

I am a big fan of this instrument. I may suggest two introductory CDs to some of the best players of the VdG playing the master composer of that instrument, M. de Sainte-Colombe, a 17th century French composer who wrote exclusively for solo or duo VdG. The movie mentioned in the video, "Tous les matins du monde" by Alain Corneau, is about Ste-Colombe's life. 1) The soundtrack from the movie "Tous les Matins du monde", just mentioned, as confirmed by the gambist interviewed, features excellent music by various composers (and I mean, so good I had people not onto classical music loving it instantly), but especially many pieces by Sainte-Colombe, such as "Tombeau Les Regrets", one that'll resonate in you forever after. The soundtrack (now OOP) was re-released by Jordi Savall & the "Concert des Nations" under the title "Dix ans après -Tous les matins du monde". Easy to find on Amazon. 2) A duo of female gambists that goes by the name of " Les Voix humaines", has recorded the complete works for VdG by Ste-Colombe on the Atma label, vols. 1, 2 & 3 (3 double CDs). If you don't want to invest right away in the full set, there's a selection of the most popular pieces on a single CD, "Le Monde de Sainte-Colombe" (by "Les Voix humaines), on Atma. The economy pack!

[@nearj8007]

This is a such a great channel to explore interesting string instruments!! Thank you, Brandon!!!

[@petesmith2837]

*Brandon wanders into lute shop, picks up lute* *owner taps sign* NO LACHRIMAE *Brandon sighs*

[@TheEnderBand]

Denied!

[@The_RetroManiac]

I once read a book about the history of orchestra instruments, and it mentioned the viol family. I then did a bunch of research on the instruments. It was epic.

[@delyar]

Yay!! Craig!

[@jkndrkn]

Beautifully done, Brandon! I am a cellist and would love to play a seven string bass gamba like the one Craig has :]

[@scapegoatiscariot2767]

There's a lot of meaty base in that instrument. I like it. I've never heard of it before. The leg and arm cello. In Italian of course. This is reminding me that I really need to buy a baritone acoustic. I just need to do is it. I want the bass.

[@mjallenuk]

Always a wonderful educational and uplifting experience. Thank you.

[@iagonizante]

Wow this was beautiful! Thank you for introducing us to this!

[@hannahjohnson4582]

So excited for this!

[@staz3014]

Here before TwoSetViolin's fans ruin the comment section.

[@crymearyvah]

Lol, I was looking for some 2Set comments 😂

[@whoami1512]

SaCrIlEgIoUs

[@nedla1811]

ling ling is everywhere

[@franksanteugini1071]

Brett and Eddy are such sellouts now, I gave up on them last year

[@june9576]

@@franksanteugini1071 i used to watch them too which got me into classical music, but their content is getting a bit stale for my lol 🤠

[@viswesh713]

ah, nice. cant wait !

[@ijobrien3]

OMG this is my new favorite instrument!

[@louisuy_]

This is so interesting it's like Brandon has taken Rob's seat and had a Player 3 come in lol

[@CarloBenevissi]

I’m a violinist but I LOVE this instrument!

[@defectivetoaster7713]

Has Brandon suddenly surrendered to the dark side of stringed instruments that is bowed instruments

[@bloopbird7057]

didnt really play with a bow though did he

[@Sevren_]

Pretty sure he is already in the dark side

[@VRnamek]

might well begin with this viola, which is fretted

[@jackclark5072]

@@VRnamek I am a classically trained violist. Violas do not have frets.

[@TheMobMaster]

@@jackclark5072 ya anyone who has ever seen a viola could tell that it's not fretted

[@quillpen815]

Yasss i am so hype for viola da gamba 🤩

[@ascetic3312]

Gorgeous-sounding instruments.

[@ianntan7194]

mans name is trompeter and he doesn’t play the trumpet ?? smh

[@princealigorna7468]

Now we need one on the rebec. Then we can have our Renaissance/early Baroque string ensemble (rebec, lute, guitar, viol, and harpsichord)

[@RobertSlover]

jordi savall playing dimitrie cantemir (istanbul turkey) is truly amazing

[@AnduNinicu]

Brandon ! The man who keeps alive Baroque . You an Christina Pluhar ! btw you guys should play sometimes !

[@ErnestoGhinaglia]

Delightful as usual. Thanks for posting.

[@schumacherenator]

I want a viola da gamba vs arpeggione video. I'm picturing a Scooby Doo reveal where the mask comes off the arpeggione and it's a viola da gamba

[@Swaggussnaregopingpinghaha]

I know you have respect for early bowed strings. But I didn’t think I would be seeing you play them!

[@rodrigosalas250]

I love that instrument...

[@brianspenst1374]

Mr Trompeter should also be playing the tromba marina. It is the stringed instrument that more closely matches his name.

[@daveausamerika5408]

Bruh I was playing lacrimæ on my lute and then Brandon started playing it on the gamba haha.

[@maraboshi]

Jordi Savall

[@talousse]

tous les matins du monde !!!

[@epipen22]

You should do a video on arpeggione!

[@xeniamorph]

"Tous les matins du monde" means "All the Mornings of the World" for those curious.

[@georgedimakis9580]

Can you do a greek lyra next ( modern lyra )

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Brandon this is a good show. Thank you.

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

Wow, that is so awesome!

[@Screamer-tm6ly]

This dude inspired me to pick up the viol

[@sinjaja5836]

Really good vibes going on here. 👏

[@abubakr_15_4]

man you are a masterpiece 🔥

[@chiefsosa3348]

awesomeness

[@ayobmilad9851]

Viola da gamba is the most underratted instrument

[@brandonacker]

Agreed! Tous les matins du monde

[@DanielMontenegroBass]

I don't know if you can answer my question... But, I've been playing Bass and Guitar for about 15 years, but as a hobbie, it is not my job... I'm a Cook, and because of that, I hurt my hand and now i have some limitations in my right hand... It does'nt gets in the way of playing Bass or Guitar that much... But I recently started to play the Cello... And the way we hold the bow on the Cello hurts so much, because of my injury. So, I saw some videos showing the Bow Techinique from the Viola da Gamba, and I tried to use it, with my Cello Bow... And it is much more confortable... Do you know if i can play the Cello properly using that kind of Bow Techinique? Cause my professor said I should not invest much effort on it, but I found it to be really confortable for me.

[@douro20]

There was a violoncello da braccio but there isn't much known repertoire for that particular instrument. It seems to me almost as ridiculous as the violoncelllo da spalla which is made to be played across the chest.

[@OliverBatchelor]

Question - I realise some people play these for the historical authenticity, but why not take the best elements of both Cello and this instrument? For example add an end-pin, modernize the frets etc. Or is the only reason to play this kind of instrument as a historical curiosity?

[@younazilberberg1650]

Why would there be a need to modernise it? Viola da gamba has its own repertoire and place in music history. There's a reason it is the way it is, I feel like altering the instrument would be a "screw you" to centuries of tradition. I'm all for enhancing what needs to be, but to me there is no reason to here :)

[@poodle3507]

There's no reason to. When playing baroque music you don't really need an endpin - baroque celli didn't have endpins either because they didn't need it back then (the music was way different, didn't require that much shifting with the left hand) , but it was modernized with the romantic period and they added an endpin, gamba music wasn't composed (gambas weren't played for about 150+ years) in the romantic period. So gambas were somewhat forgotten until we really renewed our interest for baroque music. It's an instrument of the past which is used today to play European music of the period starting from 1600 and ending at around 1750 and that type of music was way different from what was composed during the romantic era

[@Gongasoso]

The frets don't need to be modernised because it depends on type of tuning used. Anything else is valid

[@Gongasoso]

@milou80 I don't think u understood what I meant. Some pieces of music might be played with pythagorian tuning other than equal temperament. So having movable frets allows you to have one instrument for both cases. Same thing happens with baglama repertoire: the frets remain movable for a very logical and practical reason.

[@TheVoitel]

Ok, multiple things: First of all you want the frets to be moveable so that one can play in different tunings. But basically the modern Viola da gamba is more or less what you’re saying. They are basically baroque celli in the inside. The thing about a spike is that it is not at all nescessary. If you are really looking for this, there is a modern variant of the same idea from the romanic era called the ”Arpeggione“.

[@sorntorkelson6119]

So Brandon is playing La Folia on the Gamba. When will we hear him playing it on the Lute?

[@juliettedemaso7588]

This is great of course, but it doesn’t answer the question: can immortals catch plague, or is the mask part of the mystique? 🤔

[@DevinJuularValentine]

Ahahaha I was thinking the same thing. The mask is for show, vampires don't get diseases

[@drollroll]

Just virtue signalling; promoting music and bacterial pneumonia at the same time.

[@drollroll]

@A Day in the Life of there isn't... yet. But check out the paper that Fauci coauthored in 2008 about what killed most people in 1918. twitter.com/drdavidsamadi/status/1321816020923883521?s=21&fbclid=IwAR1FjXXIxjCS7FKKowcmAG1WOIHpsv76PjIOjrfBx0ebqijaip8O47MnqnE

[@drollroll]

@A Day in the Life of Likewise here... no fear! One other interesting aspect of masking the population is explained in a book "On Killing" written by a US army researcher. Turns out that it's about 60% easier to kill someone if they are masked; nothing to do with training... just the way our brains work. Dehumanization. So if you wanted to increase the chances of a civil war for example... masking the population would be a very effective setup.

[@drollroll]

@A Day in the Life of it's by Dave Grossman.

[@slurpbeats]

i recently got one from my mother, she is not playing it anymore. as a guitarist, it is really something else to a) tune a classical instrument like this. the tuners are just pins to wood and everytime i get anxiety of breaking them b) bowing is really weird to get consistent c) upright fretting is more awkward than i thought d) yes, i tuned it to guitar tuning (c standard) 😂

[@davetbassbos]

With all those extra strings it would be great for prog-metal!

[@aadityam8386]

Ahh after long time

[@chelseadalotta97]

Such a interesting Instrument!

[@Agent-47-eh]

My friend plays the cello and somehow my mind can't comprehend the amount of strings this instrument has