Grayson's
Viola da Gamba and Recorder Page
The viola da gamba is a member of the viol family of instruments. Many people have the misconception they are the predecessors to the violin family. Not so. Viols and violins are from two completely different families and existed simultaneously. There is strong evidence that the violin pre-dates the viol family. Violins were brought to Europe by the nomadic tribes from India, the "gypsies". The exotic gypsies had many cultural traditions that both captivated and frightened the Europeans. When gypsies were imprisoned or killed, their belongings were confiscated, as well. Among these items, was the violin. Many violins were burned because they were played at night around the fire and thought to be part of practises of the "Dark Arts". The sweet sounds from the violin were said to enchant and draw the virgins from their homes in the dark of night for participation in Pagan rituals. Naturally, musicians and builders were also "enchanted" by this instrument, and many escaped the "cleansing" flames.
Most all instruments of the late Mediæval and Renaissance periods were built in families, or, different sizes of the same instrument, to encompass a large tonal range. Most people are familiar with the family of recorders. Violins and viols were also produced this way. There are many variations on the viol. The most common viols we see in use today, are the treble, tenor, bass and violone. Viols have gut frets with 6 gut strings and are tuned in 4ths, with a 3rd in the middle. The bows are held underhand by the hair, with a relaxed arm and great use of the wrist. Reaching all the strings is accomplished by pushing the instrument forward, or pulling it closer to the body, at the neck. This relaxed natural positioning is much more ergonomic than the violin family bow holds and positions of today.
The bass viol is considered to be the solo instrument of this family and has a wider range than the cello. Extremely light instruments, bass viols have no stick and are merely sat atop, and lightly between, crossed calves. (Early cellos also have no stick) Bass viols can either have 6 or 7 strings. When the additional 7th string is present, it is on the lower end and adds another 4th below the 6th string "D". Bass viols are built specifically to the number of strings. i.e. You cannot "add" a 7th string to a 6 string bass viol.
The tone of a viol is mellow and calming. During its' popularity, music for viol only groups, or "viol consorts", was in high demand. Composers like Marin Marais and John Dowland wrote some of the most beautiful music ever for these ensembles. Viol consort music often has a large undulating quality.
Although it can a relatively quiet instrument, it makes itself easily heard in chamber ensembles. Viols were extremely popular through the end of the Baroque period. However, the Classical era brought larger crowds to performances. With larger audiences, comes larger halls, and therefore, larger orchestras and the composers who were writing music for them. The viol was simply not capable of accommodating the stress of the steel strings needed to be heard in these groups. Hence, the rise of the cello.
In 1994, Grayson was introduced to the beauty of the viola da gamba at the SFEMS Summer Baroque Workshop. It became clear, very quickly, that Grayson's voice and the sound of the viol were consonantly sonorous. Immediately, Grayson began learning more about viol consort songs and sang an all viol song concert on March 19th, 2000.
For personal enjoyment, Grayson began studying the bass
viola da gamba and commissioned a custom built gamba in Spring of 1999. The viol was completed in July 1999 and was built by Early Instrument Builder,
Lyn Elder
, after Barak Norman, c.1680. The original is located at the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
.
John Mark at the
SFEMS
Summer Baroque Workshop with his tenor viol built by
Lyn Elder
.
In Summer 1999, a Continuo Workshop on Thanksgiving weekend 1999, and Summer 2001, Grayson has been privileged to study viol with Mary
Springfels, founding member of the
Newberry Consort
.
Recorders
Grayson plays Moeck alto and
Paetzold
contrabass recorders. During the Christmas holiday season, Grayson gigs with recorder player friends. The rest of the year, Grayson plays with impromptu groups and studies with Frances Blaker at the
SFEMS
Summer Baroque and Renaissance Workshops held in Marin County on
the Dominican College campus.
Chat with Grayson
Site Updated March 10, 2004