An Italian term for the Viol (literally, ‘leg viol’). During the 16th century bowed string instruments were sometimes classified according to the way in which they were held during performance, the viol being designated ‘leg viol’ and the violin ‘arm viol’ (Viola da braccio). From the mid-17th century the bass instrument of the viol family was most regularly used, and ‘viola da gamba’ gradually assumed its modern specific meaning of bass viol. By the time of the final phase of the viol’s popularity in England, in the 1770s and 80s, corrupt forms of the original Italian term, occasionally found since the early 17th century, had become the norm, e.g. ‘Viol de Gambo’; ‘viol-de-gamba’; ‘Viol di Gamba’; ‘Viol da gamba’; ‘Viol di Gambo’. The abbreviated form ‘gamba’ is now frequently used.
See also Organ stop.
IAN WOODFIELD