Attention!: This is an older post about a model of violoncello da spalla that we no longer make on a regular basis.
If you wish to learn more or buy one of our current models, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-896-0909. Our email is don@donrickertdesign.com. You can also learn more or buy now at:
NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert
or learn more about our top-of-the-line Standard Model, see:
NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600)
We look forward to hearing from you.
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Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop.
The Rickert Violoncello da Spalla Model 16.5 is available at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.
We have called the Violoncello da Spalla the “Newest New Old Thing!”; to those in the technology business, you will recognize this as a take-off on the common expression, “the newest new new thing”.
‘Cello is short for violoncello; hence the apostrophe we often see at the beginning of the word 'cello. During the Baroque period, small 'cellos, often with 5 strings, were possibly even more common than their larger cousins. It is believed that when J.S. Back wrote his 'cello pieces, many of them virtually impossible to play on a full-size 'cello, he was really writing for the smaller instrument, just a bit larger than a huge viola, now called Violoncello da Spalla, which tend to be, at least in contemporary replicas, in the size range of 1/10 to 1/8 size cello. The name “Violocello da Spalla” literally means “'cello of the shoulder.” The Italian name certainly sounds a lot cooler than its English translation, something that the original purveyors of “chincellos”, Bellafina, a Chinese company with an Italian sounding name. We simply call “chincellos” octave violas.
The Violoncello da Spalla is held with a strap around the shoulder and neck, as you can see in some of the photos. The instrument is easily (a relative term) played by violinists and violists. Of course, interest in these newly re-discovered instruments is growing as part of an overall re-discovery of Baroque music and Baroque instruments, particularly the Baroque violin. We see lots of other possibilities beyond the Baroque repertoire. it appears to be an ideal basso continuo instrument for Celtic, Old-time fiddling and various other alternative musical genres.
The Rickert Violoncello da Spalla 16.5 is a very different beast from the Violoncello da Spalla 18. The Violoncello da Spalla 16.5, from the front, looks pretty much like a 5-string 16.5" viola. A side view shows a very big difference. It has 3" ribs. This instrument, with its massive internal air space, growls with a baritone vengeance. Loud?...YES!
Because of its full-size viola length, one could be tempted to try to play the Rickert Violoncello da Spalla 16.5 under the chin or da braccia (means "on the arm" in Italian). While possible, I suppose, the instrument is intended to be played, as its name implies, da spalla (means "on the shoulder"...specifically the right shoulder, as illustrated by at least one of the photos that are part of this listing.
Learning to play the Violoncello da Spalla
According to known historical accounts, the instrument was invented in order to minimize the learning curve of accomplished violinists and violists. Learning to bow the Violoncello da Spalla does not take much time at all. The Violoncello da Spalla 16.5, as the 18" model as well are both considerably more manageable than larger models that can have bodies as long as 22". Many, if not most, experienced violinists and fiddlers, whose experience is playing the lead melody, will probably have to learn some more about the principles for improvising bass harmony and chords; basically the whole notions of what is called basso continuo. We have already starting outlining an instructional book on this very topic. Note: there are some works, particularly by Bach, which feature the violoncello da spalla as a solo instrument.
Key Dimensions of the Rickert Violoncello da Spalla Model 16.5:
• The overall dimensions are about the same as a 16.5" viola with the exception of the extremely wide ribs. Overall length: 30 1/8"
• String spacing at the nut: 6mm
• String spacing at the bridge: 11.5mm
Despite its diminutive size compared to a conventional 4/4 ‘cello, the Rickert Violoncello da Spalla has a sound that far surpases a “chincello” and even our own 5-string octave viola (i.e. The B-Rex) with an amazing sonic power and deep timbre approaching that of a full size cello.
Pegs: Unless you, for some reason, desire traditional pegs, the Rickert Violoncello da Spalla is fit with Wittner FineTune internally geared small 'cello pegs.
Strings: The Rickert Violoncello da Spalla is strung with a standard set of octave viola strings
Case: Supplied with a free gig bag and separate bow case, as hard shell cases simply are not made for ‘cellos smaller than ¼ size. We are designing our own beautiful wood and hard leather case, which will sell for between $300 and $400.
Bow: We will help you to select either a full-size or fractional bow. Since this instrument is considered a "modern' violoncello da spalla, either a modern or baroque bow is acceptable; however, the bow must be a 'cello bow.
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