Bowed string instruments are a subcategory of string instruments that are played by a bow rubbing the strings. The bow rubbing the string causes vibration which the instrument emits as sound.
Despite the numerous specialist studies devoted to the origin of bowing, the origin of bowing remains unknown.Friedrich Behn, Musikleben im Altertum und frühen page 159
List of bowed string instruments
Violin family
Cello (violoncello) Pochette Viola (altviol, bratsche) Violin (violino) Double bass (contrabasso)
Variants on the standard members of the violin family include
Baroque violin Cello da spalla Five string violin Hardanger fiddle Kit violin Kontra Låtfiol Lira da braccio Octobass Sardino Stroh violin Tenor violin
Viol family (Viola da Gamba family)
Alto viol Bass viol Tenor viol Treble viol
Variants on the standard four members of the viol family include
Baryton Division viol Lirone Lyra viol Pardessus de viol Vihuela de arco Violone Viola d'amore
Lyra and rebec type
Byzantine lyra Calabrian lira Cretan lyra Gadulka Ghaychak Kamancheh Kemençe Kemenche Kemenche (classical) Lijerica Pochette Rabeca Rebab Rebec Shah Kaman
Chinese bowed instruments
Banhu Daguangxian Dahu Dihu Diyingehu Erhu Erxian Gaohu Gehu Huqin Jiaohu Jinghu Jing erhu Laruan Leiqin Maguhu Matouqin Sanhu Sihu Tiqin Tihu Tuhu Wenzhenqin Xiqin Yazheng Yehu Zhengni Zhonghu Zhuiqin Zhuihu
Rosined wheel instruments
The following instruments are sounded by means of a turning wheel that acts as the bow:
Bowed clavier Donskoy ryley Dulcigurdy a.k.a. Drejelire Harmonichord Hurdy-gurdy Kaisatsuko Lira Ninera Organistrum Tekerő Viola organista Violano Virtuoso Wheelharp
Other bowed instruments
Agiarut Ajaeng Arpeggione Bowed dulcimer Bowed guitar Bowed psaltery Byzaanchy Chuurqin Crwth Đàn nhị Đàn hồ Đàn gáo Daxophone Esraj Fiðla Gadulka Ghaychak Giga Gudok Gue Gusle Haegeum Huqin Igil Imzad Jouhikko Kingri Kokyū Kobyz Masenqo Morin khuur Musical saw Neola Nyckelharpa Ravanahatha Salo Sarangi Sarangi (Nepali) Sarinda Saw duang Saw sam sai Saw u Shichepshin Sohaegeum Sorahi Sorud Talharpa Tautirut Tro sau thom Tro Khmer Tro sau toch Tro u Umbang Vielle Violoncello da spalla Yaylı tambur
See also Bow stroke
References