<P> Instrument names in the violin family are all derived from the root viola, which is a derivative of the Medieval Latin word vitula (meaning "stringed instrument"). A violin is a "little viola", a violone is a "big viola" or a bass violin, and a violoncello (often abbreviated cello) is a "small violone" (or literally, a "small big viola"). (The violone is not part of the modern violin family; its place is taken by the modern double bass, an instrument with a mix of violin and viol characteristics .) </P> <P> The instruments of the violin family may be descended in part from the lira da braccio and the medieval Byzantine lira . </P> <P> The playing ranges of the instruments in the violin family overlap each other, but the tone quality and physical size of each distinguishes them from one another . The ranges are as follows: violin: G to E; viola: C to A (conservative); violoncello: C to A (conservative); and double - bass: E to C (slightly expanded from conservative estimate). </P> <P> Both the violin and viola are played under the jaw . The viola, being the larger of the two instruments, has a playing range that reaches a perfect fifth below the violin's . The cello is played sitting down with the instrument between the knees, and its playing range reaches an octave below the viola's . The double bass is played standing or sitting on a stool, with a range that typically reaches a minor sixth, an octave or a ninth below the cello's . </P>

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