viola da braccio

Generic name for members of the violin family in the 16th and early 17th centuries, since the smaller instruments were played on the arm and not, as was the case with the viola da gamba family, on or between the legs. Since the cello was the bass of the family it was known, illogically, as bassa viola da braccio. The treble instrument came to be known exclusively by the diminutive violino, and viola da braccio was reserved for the alto or tenor, shortened to viola in Italy and corrupted into Bratsche in Germany.