Its full name being violoncello, it is the second largest of the strings. It is grasped between the knees as the cellist draws the bow across the strings. It is a very expressive instrument that can produce very intense and rich sounds.

HISTORY
It was first made in Italy in the 1520's and named "violincello", which means "small double bass" in Italian. It was used as the bass in the string quartet, occasionally taking the melody in the early days. It became distinct in symphony orchestras in the 1700's and 1800's.