For cellist Steven Isserlis (2011), the cello is “the instrument most like a human voice”. The examples of comparisons of nonvocal instruments with the voice are common enough that it is worth understanding what the comparison means.

What instrument is closest to human voice?

The cello has a range that's even greater, matching a male or lower female voice. “It is the closest instrument to the human voice, and the things you can do on the cello...

What is human voice instrument?

We can consider the human voice as two distinct instrument types: a wind instrument and a string instrument. Respiratory elements, corresponding to the wind instrument type, include the trachea, bronchi, lungs, diaphragm, rib cage, and intercostal muscles.