cellists
Bow between their knees
Cellists are musicians who play the cello, the large stringed instrument held upright between the knees.
The word follows the standard pattern of adding -ist to an instrument name: The cellists in the orchestra tuned their instruments.
A cellist may perform in orchestras, chamber ensembles, or as a soloist.
Featured individual musicians
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- recitalSolo musical performance
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
ensemble · concert · stage · bow · strings · repertoire · sonata · accompanist
String instrument's pitch surface
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- f-holesViolin's resonance vents
- stringsThin flexible lines
- rosinSolidified conifer sap
bow hair · soundpost · scroll · tuning pegs · case · stand · shoulder rest · gut strings
Bending forward in deference
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- fingeringNote-playing hand technique
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
- legatoUnbroken musical phrasing
staccato · shifting · intonation · spiccato · portamento · harmonics · tremolo · glissando
Small-group classical compositions
- string quartetsCompositions for four bowed instruments
- piano triosChamber works for three
soloists
Featured individual musicians
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- recitalSolo musical performance
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
chamber music · ensemble · concert · stage · bow · strings · repertoire · sonata · accompanist · audition
fingerboard
String instrument's pitch surface
rosin · bow hair · soundpost · scroll · tuning pegs · case · stand · shoulder rest · gut strings · steel strings
Yo-Yo Ma
Preeminent contemporary cellist
bowing
Bending forward in deference
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- fingeringNote-playing hand technique
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
legato · staccato · shifting · intonation · spiccato · portamento · harmonics · tremolo · glissando · phrasing
chamber music
Small-group classical compositions
- string quartetsCompositions for four bowed instruments
- piano triosChamber works for three
cellistspercussionists
Musicians playing struck instruments
drummers · trumpeters · flutists · pianists · singers