Cellobass

The Cellobass section consists of the Violoncello, and the Contrabass, better known as the Cello and Double Bass respectively, which are part of the Violin family of instruments.

Huqin instruments，革胡，and 倍革胡

Why are western instruments used in Chinese Orchestras?

Traditionally, Chinese Orchestras used the 革胡 and the 倍革胡, which are part of the 胡琴 family, to play the bass tones. Like the 二胡, both instruments are made of a long neck that is connected to a large round sound box covered with snakeskin. However, both had 4 strings that were laid side by side instead of 2.

By the late 1900s, the 革胡 had started to become a rare instrument, as more people were using Cellos and Basses instead, as the strings on both were tuned identically to the 革胡. The 革胡 was costly to own and maintain, as the snakeskin would wear out over time, and its acoustics was also inferior to the Cello and Bass. Now, most Chinese Orchestras around the world are using Cellos and Basses as replacements for the antiquated 革胡.

No, it's not a Violin, it's not a Viola. It's a Cello.

Cello

The cello replaced the 革胡 (géhú) in many modern Chinese Orchestras, due to the rarity and cost of the instrument. The Cello was chosen as a suitable replacement, partly due to its more reverberant soundboard, enabling it to produce a deeper and richer sound than the 革胡. The Cello is capable of many timbres and is able to play an expansive range of melodies.

Being in the same family of string instruments, its appearance can be likened to that of a bigger violin or viola, though it is drastically different from either instrument, in how it is played.

The Cello is played while propped against the floor with an endpin, and it is rested on the lap of the player. It can be either bowed or plucked. The strings on the Cello are tuned to C2, G2, D3, and A4 (ascending), which is exactly one octave below the range of the viola. Learn more: History and More info.

Don't be fooled! This is, in fact, a Double bass, not a Cello.

Double bass

The Double bass, being a member of the Violin family of string instruments, shares many similarities with the Cello.. It stands at around 180cm, making it the tallest instrument in the orchestra. It also features 4 thicker strings, which are tuned in fourths from E1, A1, D2 to G2, the same tuning mechanism and roughly the same shape.

The Double bass is played while standing, while select players who are tall enough can choose to sit on a high stool while playing. Like the Cello, it has an endpin at the bottom which can be used to heighten the instrument to suit the player's height, and it can be either plucked of bowed. There are two types of bows that are used, French and German. In RICO, we use bows of the German variety which is held in a grip-like fashion.

It replaced the 倍革胡 (bèigéhú) for reasons similar to the Cello. Now, the Double Bass plays a fundamental role in many orchestras and bands all across the world due to its versatility and adaptable nature. Learn more: History and More info

The cello and double bass are very versatile, being able to express a wide range of volumes and tones. They can sound mellow or aggressive, depending on how the player bows or plucks the strings. On certain occasions, the Cello and Double bass can even be used to supplement percussion instruments, by slapping the side of the instrument just like a drum.

While less popular than other western instruments like the violin, which is also from the strings family, the cello and double bass still have a respectable repertoire. There are many beautiful solo pieces for the Cello, and while the Double bass is rarely played as a solo instrument, there are still a number of great pieces that showcase the true beauty of the instrument.

One of the most iconic pieces for the Double bass is Movement 5 of The Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns, The Elephant, which is a humorous piece designed to mimic an Elephant. It is commonly regarded as a rite of passage for bass players. Watch on YouTube↗

For the Cello, what is undoubtedly the most frequently heard and recognisable solo piece would have to be the Prelude of Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, which is a gentle and resonant piece, also regarded as a rite of passage for Cello players. Watch on YouTube↗

Instructors

The Cellobass section would not be where it is without our dedicated, Mr Xu Zhong for Cello and Ms Wang Luyao for Double bass, both of whom are members of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

Ms Wang Luyao trained in the Middle School of Shanghai Conservatory of Music and pursued undergraduate studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Degree (2nd Class Honours) in Double Bass Performance.

Mr Xu Zhong studied in the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, learning cello under the tutelage of renowned cello instructor Zong Bai. He later graduated with masters in cello performance and chamber music in Germany at the Mainz Conservatory of Music. He has been the Cello principal player at SCO since 2004.

Ms Wang Luyao and Mr Xu Zhong

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