Viola da gamba is a term used to describe a stringed musical instrument that was widely popular during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Though it is now considered to be a relatively rare instrument, it has played an important role in the development of the Western classical music tradition. Over the years, various terms have been used as synonyms for viola da gamba. These include viol, bass viol, violone, and viola da braccio. While these terms all refer to similar instruments, they can each be used to indicate specific variations in the size, shape, and tuning of the instrument, as well as the style of music for which it was intended.