String instruments are pretty incredible. They can create incredible music, especially if the musician playing the instruments have a great deal of skill.
Of course, the general public is most familiar with the violin, but that’s not the only string instrument out there. In fact, you can get violins, cellos, double basses and so much more.
But what exactly is the difference between a cello and a violin? Here’s everything that you need to know.
What’s the Difference?
Let’s take the long route first: the key difference between the cello and the violin is how big it is. Believe it or not, this size can have a big impact on the sound that the instrument can produce.
You will usually find that a cello is a much larger instrument (though not as big as a double bass!) and it is positioned between the cellists legs. Cellists are usually seated when they play their instruments, and the cello will create lower notes.
The violin, on the other hand, is played slightly differently. When you play a violin you position the instrument in between your chin and your shoulder, and the instrument is played using a bow.
The violinist holds the neck of the violin in their non-dominant hand while they play the instrument with their dominant hand. As such, the violin is much smaller and so it also creates much higher, soprano level notes.
Sizing
The biggest difference to the untrained eye between the violin and the cello is the size of the instrument.
So let’s talk measurements. You have a violin – if you measure it from the end of the scroll to the endpin of the instrument, we’re talking 23 inches. This is not the same for every single violin, but it’s a general guideline.
On the other end of the spectrum is the cello. Measure this instrument again from the scroll to the base, and we’re talking about 47.6 inches. Not exactly an instrument you can carry on your back to play at a campfire to do that rendition of The Devil Went Down to Georgia that you’ve been trying to learn for the past 5 years.
The weight of the two differ too. A violin at its standard size weighs roughly 0.88 lbs, whereas the cello at its full size weighs 5 lbs or more.
Sound
The sizing can have a pretty big impact on the sound that you achieve from the instrument.
The full body size of the cello means that you can achieve deeper, fuller sounds than what you would get with the violin. In contrast, you’re looking at more high pitched sounds from the violin.
Strings
The strings can differ a lot between a violin and a cello. A violin will usually have much shorter, thinner strings, and this is what enables it to hit the higher notes.
The strings of a cello are thicker which is what helps to achieve the lower tone.
Orchestral Role
Looking to play in the orchestra? If you don’t want to play center stage, a violin might not be the best choice for you. The violin will usually play the main melody or the harmony, but this can depend on the music that you’re playing.
A cello, on the other hand, can play the main melody, support and the harmony.
You’ll need lots of versatility.
Why Play a Violin?
So what about if you’re considering which string instrument to take up? Choosing between the cello and the violin can be difficult, but what you choose largely depends on your own preference.
Practicality is usually the main reason for playing a violin. These instruments are much smaller which means that carrying them from home to your music practice session or to orchestra is pretty easy. They don’t tend to cost nearly as much money as cellos though.
Not only that but the violin is a very versatile instrument, with a range and tone that can be used in a range of genres. There are even violins in many mainstream songs. There are a wide range of songs that you can play on the violin too, so you can really impress at those family dinners!
Violin lessons generally tend to be more available in schools too.
Why Play a Cello?
The first reason to play a cello is that many students actually say that it’s much easier to play a cello because of the way that it’s positioned. When you first get started with the violin it can feel a little more challenging to play, but it does eventually become easier.
Of course, the cello is significantly larger than the violin, but this is a small price to pay in exchange for a gorgeous sounding instrument. The lower instrument sounds fantastic up against the higher register of the violin, and the repertoire for a cello is very extensive.
One of the biggest benefits of the cello, however, is that many students opt for the violin instead, which means that coming by cellists is a lot harder. If you want to play in orchestra then your chances are a lot better as there’s less competition to deal with.
Summary
So, what exactly is the difference between the violin and the cello? Aside from their sizes, they create different sounds, so before you choose which instrument to play you can look at what sound best reflects you and your tastes.
It can be somewhat difficult to choose between the two instruments, after all they each have their own disadvantages and advantages. It’s worth taking a few lessons of each before you make your decision. Playin-g stringed instruments can be incredibly rewarding, so why not give it a try?
