A cello fingerboard is a long, slightly curved piece of wood that runs the length of the cello, the classical string family’s second-largest instrument. Although no two cello fingerboards are identical, the majority are made of ebony and are less than 2 feet (about 61 cm) long. The fingerboard is crucial in the production of pitch on the instrument.
Pitch is produced on a cello vibrating a string of a specific length and width, just as it is on other string instruments. When the player’s fingers stop the string pressing it against the fingerboard, the string length changes. Cello fingerboards, unlike guitar fingerboards, lack frets, which are metal or wood strips that stop the strings when the finger is placed behind them. This gives the cellist a lot of control over the pitch, but it also makes it more difficult to play in tune. Many beginning cellists use tapes or dots on the fingerboard to help them place their fingers, but advanced cellists must learn to produce accurate pitches through ear training and muscle memory.
High-quality cellos are handcrafted, and each instrument maker may have slightly different preferences when it comes to fingerboard construction. The fingerboard on a cello is typically 23 inches (58 cm) long, 2.5 inches (64 mm) wide at the bottom, and 1.2 inches (30 mm) wide at the top. The C-string side, which is to the left of the instrument when viewed from the front, is slightly narrower than the A-string side. This allows the cellist to reach lower strings while maintaining a more natural wrist angle.
The cello fingerboard is usually made of hardwood, unlike the instrument’s body, which is often made of soft, fragile maple. Due to its durability and deep, dramatic color, ebony is the most popular choice, but rosewood is also a popular option. Some instrument manufacturers began using non-wood alternatives, such as carbon fiber for fingerboards, the late twentieth century. These are marketed as being more environmentally friendly and could reduce the total weight of the instrument up to 10%, making it potentially more ergonomic. However, as of 2011, carbon and other alternative types of cello fingerboards had not gained widespread acceptance in the string instrument community.