theorbo
1 synonym for theorbo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large baroque lute with two necks and a second course of unfretted bass strings for the low register.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
chitarrone
How to use theorbo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
play the theorbo
a theorbo player
continuo on theorbo
a baroque theorbo
A specialist musical term, mostly used by early-music and baroque performers.
Etymology
The word came into English from the Italian tiorba. That Italian term is itself traced back to Ottoman Turkish torba.
Full origin of theorbo →Frequently asked questions
What is a theorbo used for?
It is a baroque instrument mainly used to play the bass line and chords in early music ensembles, a role known as continuo.
How is a theorbo different from a normal lute?
It has a second, extended neck carrying extra bass strings that are played open, without being pressed down on a fingerboard.
Is theorbo the same as chitarrone?
Chitarrone is a recognised synonym for theorbo, referring to the same type of double-necked bass lute.
