What's a Viol da Gamba?

Last week, I mentioned in one of my posts that I play the viol da gamba, or the viola da gamba, as it's sometimes called.  It's a bowed, fretted, stringed instrument developed in the 15th century.  It was used mostly in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.  It's a beautiful instrument, and though tuned and fretted like a guitar, there are sizes, like the violin family. 

When I was in college, I played the violin (still do actually).  I was essentially a music minor and took an Early Music class for our six week short term.  Since I was already a string player, the professor talked me into learning the tenor viol.  I was sold immediately.  It was weird at first to try to balance the instrument between my knees and bow sideways, but I did eventually get it.  I played in small consorts with that professor and another professor from a neighboring college. 

I'd been borrowing instruments from the college for about a year, when I knew I'd be leaving school soon.  My dear Grandmother gave me $2,400 to buy myself a car for graduation.  This is what I bought instead:

My Scottish Grammy was not thrilled! 

My treble viol was made by Linda Shortridge who used to be up in Phippsburg, Maine.  The finger board and tail piece are made of pear wood.  It's very light.  Many viols have scrolls carved into faces or heads.  Mine is just decorative.

Sadly, my little gamba is sick.  The top string has worn out the wood in the tailpiece and pulled right through it.  So, I'm looking at a pretty serious repair, which will be fairly costly.

Someday, when I'm feeling flush, I'll get it fixed.  I last played about 3 or 4 years ago with a couple of other people.  It's beautiful in consort with other viols.  Here's a sampling.  Wish I could say that I was in this, but I can't.  It is the type of music I have played, though.

So, that's my music lesson for today!
Thanks for stopping by!
Courtney