cello

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cello (violoncello) Musical instrument, member of the violin family. It has a soft, mellow tone, one octave below the viola; its strings are tuned to C-G-D-A. It is played with a bow and supported by the knees of a seated player. It was developed in the 16th-century by the Amati family. Among the most celebrated players of the 20th century were Pablo Casals and Jacqueline Du Pré.

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