Vihuelists began playing their flat-edged instruments with a bow in the second half of the 15th century. Within two or three decades, this led to the evolution of an entirely new and dedicated bowed string instrument that … See more

The standard tuning of most viols is in fourths, with a major third in the middle (like the standard Renaissance lute tuning), or in fourths, with a major third in between the 2nd and 3rd strings. … See more

Viols were second in popularity only to the lute (although this is disputed), and like lutes, were very often played by amateurs. Affluent homes … See more

In the 20th and early 21st century, the viol is attracting ever more interest, particularly among amateur players and early music enthusiasts and … See more

Viols most commonly have six strings, although many 16th-century instruments had only four or five strings. Viols were (and are) strung with See more

Viols come in seven sizes: "pardessus de viole" (which is relatively rare, exclusively French and did not exist before the 18th century), treble (in French dessus), alto, tenor (in French … See more

Descriptions and illustrations of viols are found in numerous early 16th-century musical treatises, including those authored by:
• Sebastian Virdung: Musica getutsch, 1511
• Hans Judenkunig: Ain schone kunstliche Vunderwaisung, 1523 See more