Cello Tailpieces
About Cello Tailpieces
A cello tailpiece might look like a simple item at first. But, in reality, there is more to it than meets the eye. Although attaching the strings to the end of your instrument is the primary role of the tailpiece, the tailpiece can have a major impact on your instrument’s sound and playability.
The right type of tailpiece that has been installed properly will make an instrument more receptive and easier to play. It will emphasise the harmonics and overtones and make the instrument more resonant. This will give you a fuller and more vibrant sound. Conversely, if an instrument has an unpleasant sound, such as a bad wolf note, you might be able to minimise it by adjusting the tailpiece and its place. Read this article to find out more about tailpieces. Having a better understanding of them will help you make the right choices while shopping for them.
A brief guide to Cello Tailpieces
The cello is the second largest among stringed instruments. As it produces medium bass notes, it is an integral component of the symphony orchestra. The cello, consisting of four strings, emits tones that are one octave lower than the viola, which is smaller than the cello. These notes closely resemble the low-end human bass voice and are most frequently associated with classical music. But even then, the nature of the tailpiece can shift these notes a bit in either direction. That is why it is essential to use the right type of tailpiece on the cello.
Wood types and tonal qualities
The type of tailpiece wood can affect the tonal quality of the cello. Using Pernambuco wood for the tailpiece can turn a muddy sounding cello into a brighter and more precise sounding instrument. On the other hand, if you want to soften and warm up the sound of a hard-edged cello, you can use a dense ebony tailpiece. But if you also want to make the instrument lightweight, you can look for some less dense material like rosewood or boxwood. Therefore, when you are buying a tailpiece for your cello, you have to be really careful about the type of wood.
Weight of the tailpiece
While it is really nice to have a lighter wood for the tailpiece, it might not always give you the best sounding tones. To some extent, a lighter tailpiece can soften the sound of the cello and make it less harsh. However, there is a limit to this. If the tailpiece becomes too light, then the vibration patterns of the instrument can become out of control. This, in turn, can change the pitch of the instrument and completely alter the notes of the cello. Therefore, how will you decide what minimum weight the tailpiece should have? Well, there is no easy way to find out. Rather you will have to try out tailpieces of different weights and find out the right one.
Modern materials
Traditionally, tailpieces were made from wood and wood only. But the recent improvements in material science have made it possible to replace wood with synthetic materials. These days, you can find tailpieces made from a variety of different materials. These include materials like plastic, graphite, and aluminium. The benefit of these materials is that they are much more durable than wooden tailpieces. Just like the type of wood affects the tonal characteristics of the instrument, the difference in the flexibility and weight of the tailpiece does affect the tone.
Other aspects of a tailpiece
Apart from things like materials, weight, and strength of the tailpiece, another important factor that affects the performance of a cello is the shape and size of the tailpiece. If you don’t already know, not all tailpieces are of the same length. Also, the position of the string slots also varies between models. If the length between the bridge to the bottom of the instrument is longer, then you, in turn, need a longer tailpiece. And in a shorter tailpiece in smaller instruments, you should make sure that there is sufficient space between adjacent holes.
Tips on how to buy Cello Tailpieces Online
If you are a beginner player of the cello, then choosing the right type of tailpiece can be a tough job. As there are so many different types of tailpieces, selecting one out of them can turn quickly overwhelming. But it is also important to choose the right type of tailpiece if you want to get the best sound out of your instrument. However, it can be easier if you know what criteria to consider in cello tailpieces. So, here are a few things to keep in mind while you are shopping for them.
- Consider the material – The first thing to consider while shopping for a tailpiece is to select the appropriate material. Some of the common materials for tailpieces are wood, plastic, and aluminium. If you are choosing a wooden tailpiece, then figure out the type of wood as well.
- Shape and size of the tailpiece – Cello tailpieces come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While there is always going to be a limited range of sizes you can have for the tailpieces of a particular cello, there is much more freedom when it comes to the shapes. However, both of these aspects of the tailpiece do change the sound quality of the instrument.
- Weight and density – The weight and density of the tailpiece will have a significant impact on the tonal characteristics of the cello. Therefore, you have to be careful about the weight and also density of the tailpiece. However, you cannot know how a tailpiece sounds just by knowing the weight and density of the tailpiece. Instead, you will have to try out the tailpiece.
- Finish of the tailpiece – Apart from the fact that the tailpiece plays a major role in determining the sound and notes of a cello, you should keep in mind that it also affects the way the instrument looks. So, look for a tailpiece with a finish that complements the look of your instrument.
Apart from a cello tailpiece, there are other essential musical accessories you will need for playing music. These include things like speakers, mixers, preamps, amplifiers, microphones, instrument cases, instrument stands, and cleaning kits. You can find any of them easily using our shopping search engine. It will also let you compare the prices and features of different products and help you pick the best one. So, don’t forget to check out other amazing products from the Musical Instruments category.
Question & Answer
Are cellos louder than violins?
The cello is a member of the string family that also consists of other instruments like violin, viola, and deep bass. In fact, a cello looks like an oversized violin. This larger form factor means the strings of the cello are also longer and thicker than violin strings. As the strings get thicker and longer, the overtones of the instrument shift towards the lower end of the frequency spectrum. The tones of the cello are of lower frequency than that of the violin and the viola but higher than that of the deep bass. And when it comes to the loudness of these instruments, cellos are slightly less loud than that of the violin.
How to choose a cello tailpiece?
There is a slew of factors to look for in a tailpiece that affects the tonal characteristics and the sound quality of the cello. These include things like the weight and shape of the tailpiece, arch type, length, material, flexibility, and more. Before selecting a tailpiece for your instrument, you have to choose what type of tones you want. Then, try out a few different types of tailpieces so that you can have a first-hand experience on them. This is essential because you can’t determine how exactly a tailpiece sounds just by looking at the numbers.
Where to buy cello tailpiece online in the UAE?
Any instrument is made up of numerous parts. This is true for the instruments in the string family as well. And when it comes to the cello, the tailpiece is something that you cannot overlook. The physical properties of the tailpiece can alter the quality and sound of the instrument. Luckily, you can find some really good quality cello tailpieces on Shops.ae. Also, it is incredibly easy to find them using our retail search engine. Moreover, on Shops.ae, you will get the best prices for these instruments.
There are more than 500 shops and brands offering musical accessories online on Shops.ae. These shops offer products from popular brands like Wittner, Thomann, Roth & Junius, Petz, Akusticus, GEWA, and Dictum.