Violin vs Cello | What’s Difference Between Them?

Some people live under the delusion that cellos are grander versions of violins. Fortunately, we’re here to burst that bubble and boost your musical knowledge. So, how is a cello different from violins? Sit back and skim our article for the complete breakdown of the pros, cons, features, and more!

So Violin vs Cello, Are violins and cello the same?

Their fundamental distinctions are pinpointed between Violin and Cello are through their sizes, volume pitch, weight, classifications, sound range, and playing posture. In short, even if the appeal is similar to some, the distinctions are pretty comprehensive.

Violin	Cello
The smallest size in the stringed family	The second largest size in the string family
Weighs around 0.88 lbs	Weighs around 5 lbs
Thinner and shorter strings	Thicker and longer strings
Tuned from G to E	Tuned from thickest to thinnest string
Violin bow: Delicate, longer in length, the small gap between stick and horsehair, and thin girth	Cello bow: the larger gap in between horsehair and stick, larger surface area, and shorter in length
Music genre: rock, jazz, country, and folk	Music genre: rock, jazz, pop and classical

I’m confident even with that detailed comparison, you’re inclined to know more.  Don’t worry; we promise to end this tug of war where you’re wondering – which is better, cello or violin? Honestly, the most mind-blowing revelations are yet to come. So, keep reading to know what sets these two musical instruments apart and which one you should choose.

Background Of Violins And Cellos

Before we cut to the chase of finding out which is better cello or violin, we would like to give you an idea of the entire picture on both the parties in question. To be fair, we would tap on a few common questions for that so, let’s get onto it.

Cellos were the first to be debuted in the music industry. In 1505-1577, Andrea Amati Cremona from Italy designed, planned, and built the first cello from the violin family. Cellos are renowned as the ‘king’ of the violin family. Cellos are largely accepted in the European classical music culture.

The first appearance of a violin was noted back in the 16th century. An interesting anecdote is that back then, violins were plucked to play instead of utilizing a bow. The bowed violins were presented much later. Violins are affiliated with both eastern and western music genres.

How is A Cello Different From A Violin – Let’s Set The Record Straight

Cello looks like a bigger version of the violin but don’t get confused with the looks. There are significant differences between violin and cello. I am going to briefly discuss this topic in this section.

Size

Undeniably the cello is bigger than a violin. Thus, performing with the two differs significantly, as well. Violins and cello can come in half, quarter, and 7/8 sizes. However, there are much smaller pieces too. But the catch with smaller versions is that the strings will shorten accordingly hence, delivering a higher pitch with the decreasing size.

In measurement, the cello can round up roughly twice as much as the size of a regular violin. Cellos have a more full-bodied feel in the sense of width and length rather than violins. Mind you, both of their bodies and sizes play exponential characters in reverberating the sounds. Therefore, the sounding tone and frame in each vary accordingly.

Weight

Violins are indefinitely lighter instruments with an average of mere 0.4kgs because of it’s smaller size whereas, a cello can come about at 2.27kgs in total. Needless to say, cellos are pretty difficult to transport because of their hefty weight and size, but then again, the material construction for each plays a more prominent role during movement.

Material & Construction

Luthiers engross their heart and soul in servicing the music nation with hardy, solid yet, aesthetically adequate instruments. But most importantly, these instruments must work right and hit the notes correctly. Violins and cellos can be made under immense scrutiny and with a mixture of kinds of wood. The fundamental differences in the construction lie in the materials utilized, their age, origin, style, and the craftsperson himself.

Usually, violins are constructed with spruce, ebony, or maple. These hardwoods make up the entirety of the ribs, scroll, and neck of the instrument. Even though generic fingerboards are constructed with ebony, and the ivory foundation is also verily available. On the other hand, the face panels and chambers are made with willow or spruce.

Quite similarly, cellos are also made with a blend of ebony or maple woods. Keep in mind that when these instruments are mass-produced, the raw wood materials utilized will be cheaper such as composite board or laminated wood. Now, in those scenarios, the sound quality and tones will change too – something to think about before purchasing instruments right off the bat.

Differences between their Bows

Violin and cello bows are mainly composed of Pernambuco wood. However, other kinds of woods like composite, carbon fiber, or other tropical woods may be utilized. But the most astonishing fact is that the hair is made with horsehair, generally from a stallion. Professional cellists prefer black hair as they claim that they have a coarser texture and fantastic grip on them.

Overall, violin bows are moderately delicate, whereas; cellos are sturdier, letting them welcome the added pressure or force. All discrepancies aside, the one benign similarity between the two is that with differing playing styles, the vigor and finesse will vary and deliver desired results.

Differences between their strings

Violin strings are tuned as G, D, A, and E. On the other hand, cello strings are tuned as A, D, G, and C, of the thickest to the thinnest string. Even though the names are similar, the G cello string is a whole octave lower than a violin.

Cello strings are considerably longer and thicker in dimension than violins, resulting in a lower frequency and pitch. In retrospect, violins have thinner and shorter strings and endure more tension; thus, they produce a higher pitch.

However, the critical component in the variation of tones also comes with the vessels’ stretch and pressure. Sometimes, even when you throw in your favorite rhythm and tune, the sound seems off. Yes, it’s all because of those darn strings!

Playing Posture

Cellos are played in a seated posture as the user cradles the instrument in between their legs with the strings displayed proudly. The cello’s body must rest against that of the player with the neck and scroll inclined on the user’s dominant side. Often, larger cellos are played standing up, which can be thoroughly pulled off by professionals and experts in street music or concerts.

You can play the violin both sitting and standing up. In the case of violins, they are held in place with the user’s jawbone or chin. This position seems finicky initially for beginners, but over time as they get used to weight and style, comfort settles in.

Differences between their Sounds

We know you’ve been wondering throughout this article – but, is cello louder than the violin?

You’ll be amazed to know that cellos aren’t louder than violins, even with their intimidating size. Quite the contrary, the smaller-bodied instrument has a higher pitch and tone hence greater loudness than the cello.

The maximum dBA on the left ear that violins could pose is around 95.4 and on the right ear approximately 92.7. In contrast, the cello could exhibit a maximum of 89.5 dBA on the right ear and 87.1 dBA on the left. Thus, will they sound the same even with wavering playing techniques? Heck, no!

Is It Easier To Play Violin Or Cello? – Let’s Find Out!

Former students and amateurs have always wondered which one is easier to play, learn and adapt. Experts and users from a background with violin and cello claim that playing the cello tends to be a touch more challenging, majorly because of the seated posture that it commands.

Don’t let this rub you the wrong way. Violinists endure a tough time adapting to their posture, too but, that’s only at the very beginning. The position and handling come naturally with violins with time. I would also like to put a disclaimer here that not all musicians face similar hassles. Whereas I could be having trouble placing my thumb correctly, you could be facing trouble holding the bow.

It’s always better to learn one instrument first then move to others.

Whereas some of us like to play it safe and propel with one instrument, others might have an expanded interest. Easier said than done, though, right? Worry not; let’s see which one a do-it-all like you should opt for to make this journey as smooth as butter.

You see, the most influential contrast between them is their sizes. Hence, to put it simply, opting for a violin first will ease most of your struggles initially and prepare you for the bigger picture – the cello. The other pivotal turning point in choosing to learn the cello after a violin is that one added string. However, cellists are required to learn three clefs instead of the one that beginners learn when they step up their game.

Mastering the posture and another string might be the only remaining hurdles that you have to overcome when the rest are taken care of with a violin at first.

Pros & Cons For Cellos & Violins

Both have benefits and pitfalls of learning because there are always be an opportunity costs. Make sure you analyzed the table below to understand which one suits you most. Cello or Violin?

Pros of a Cello

• Low register – Although many musicians love the cello’s dynamic yet, subtle and lower registering tone, it’s not for everybody, especially if your ideal gig happens to be lower appeals.
• Repertoire – Cello’s unique sound quality can play an essential role in several plays and musical concerts. Additionally, cellos are great for solo performances, too, due to their unlimited musical offerings.

Cons of a Cello

• Cost – Cellos are considerable and heftier in price. On the one hand, professionals wouldn’t mind spending the extra buck, but the question is, would you?
• Size – Cellos can be a bit of an issue due to their overwhelming dimension, causing a rampage during transportation. Oftentimes, the cello cases are as big as the user, which can be an unwelcoming challenge.

Fun fact: The cello has a lot more expensive options than a violin. Whether that’s a pro or con, I’ll let you be the judge of that. Although if you’re willing to invest your time and energy in a cello, here are a few things you must jot down.

Pros of a Violin

• Playing opportunities – Due to the immense variability in violin usage, sound, and tone, you can fit into any group play, Bands or an orchestra.
• Repertoire – Sure, cellos are known for claiming a diverse repertoire; however, violins have gone farther in this race. Violins possess a larger ensemble of dual, group, and solo pieces.
• Cost – Violins are wallet-friendly instruments. This is an enormous attraction for amateurs who don’t particularly want to spend an arm and a leg initially.
• Size – Violins are tinier than cellos, making them transport-friendly and highly pliable to young players and beginners.

Cons of a Violin

• Competition – Prepare yourself to face a lot of competition as a violinist in this musical world. The instrument’s popularity has soon gained even more competitive and brilliant minds, making it more challenging to achieve the highest rankings.

Did you know that another distinctive critical contrast between violins and cellos is that violins have a higher register and are chosen over a cello by beginners at a higher rate? Let’s see some more aspects that can make or break a deal with a violin.

Violin vs Cello | Which is better?

I wanted to take it up a notch by illustrating some of the benefits and hitches all skill levels and experts face during their learning and adapting stage. To be fair, both violins and cellos have their pros and cons but, more on that later. For now, let’s see if these instruments are friendly to your expertise level.

Characteristics	Violin	Cello
Easy to beginner learners?	✔	✘
Do Advanced players need to learn fewer clefs?	✔	✘
Complex fingerstyle	✘	✔
Utilizes most of your hand force and energy	✘	✔
Can easily be positioned with an endpin	✘	✔

Can you use violin bow for cello after learning violin?

Absolutely no! what’s zing and pep to my ears might just be irritable noise to yours. Similarly, when you utilize a violin bow for all purposes on a cello, it’s going to make some noise. Now, will that noise make sense to a music guru?

While using a violin’s bow on a cello, the tone shifts to being incredibly poor and soft almost in the frequency of a piano but, not anything as soothing as it. This phenomenon is caused as the cello strings are too broad for a violin’s bow; consequently, making the sound unpleasant.

Violin or Cello? – Which one should you choose?

Instruments are an intimate getaway and extension to an individual’s soul and as a musician. The fittest way to find your instrument is by listening to numerous tracks, melodies, and songs and deciding your sound.

To concise your options, even more, you can concentrate on one genre: rock, classical, or jazz. Your greatest mistake would be to catch yourself off guard and choose an instrument on a whim. That’s something you must analyze as well to not grow bored or uninterested later during the ordeal.

Choose an instrument that speaks to you and your mind, one that elevates your mood resembles it and uplifts your soul. Playing styles are yet another affirmative deliberation that you must research. Violins are incredibly versatile and can come in various sizes, meaning a measure that could be ‘just right for you.

Moreover, violins provide high bowing dexterity, vibrant, higher-pitched sounds that can unify with other instruments. On the contrary, cellos have pleasing yet, richer tones when played. Perhaps, an octave lower than the viola, but the techniques and sounds are striking, lovely, and nothing similar to the rest of the instruments.

Both of these instruments carry immeasurable depth and melody, yet; they oppose in manifold ways. So, the bottom line is which sound and tone please you more? Once you know the resolution to that, the start of your journey will come naturally.

Last Words

As I round up this article with an overview of two impactful instruments in the music industry, I hope that you understand which one is better between Violin vs Cello.

To boil it down, we have seen a couple of similarities between the two. However, the contrasts are too massive to be overlooked. As always, we recommend you listen to your gut and lead with what articulates your musical sense best. At the end of the day, playing any instrument has to be music to your ears – and I mean that quite literally.