viola da gamba

noun

vi·​o·​la da gam·​ba vē-ˌō-lə-də-ˈgäm-bə  -ˈgam- 

plural violas da gamba vē-ˌō-ləz-də-  or viole da gamba vē-ˌō-(ˌ)lā- 

: a bass member of the viol family having a range approximating the cello

violist da gamba

vē-ˌō-lis(t)-də- 

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with Lebedinsky, the group includes Kati Kyme on viola, William Skeen on violoncello and viola da gamba, Kevin Cooper on the lute-like theorbo, and violinists Aaron Westman and Anna Washburn. —Beth Woodcontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023

The viola da gamba also was popular at that time, but eventually the cello elbowed it out of the modern-day orchestra. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2023

It’s generally accepted that Andrea Amati in Cremona, Italy, built the first four-string violin in the 16th century, following the general shape of the viola da gamba. —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2022

His efforts were enhanced by Christopher Phillpott’s stylish contributions on the viola da gamba. —Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2022

A few years later, a high school-aged Hargis sat in on a concert by the same Collegium, not knowing her future husband, now a viola da gamba major, was playing in the group. —Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 20 Apr. 2022

Its roots go back to a Renaissance instrument called a viola da gamba. —Jessi Virtusio, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022

The ensemble consists of music students from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire who play on baroque-era style instruments including harpsichord, theorbo (a type of lute), baroque violin and viola da gamba. —Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021

The Incarnation concert featured viola da gamba sonatas by J.S. Bach (in D major, BWV 1028) and his son Carl Philip Emanuel Bach (in C major, H. 558). —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Italian, leg viol

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above