Bowed string instruments are a subcategory of

string instrument String instruments, stringed instruments, or chordophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when a performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner. Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the ...

s that are played by a bow rubbing the

string String or strings may refer to: *String (structure), a long flexible structure made from threads twisted together, which is used to tie, bind, or hang other objects Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Strings'' (1991 film), a Canadian anim ...

s. The bow rubbing the string causes vibration which the instrument emits as sound. Despite the numerous specialist studies devoted to the origin of the bowing the problem of the origin of the bowing is unresolved Some say that the bow was introduced to Europe from the Middle East while others say the bow was not introduced from the Middle East but the other way round and that that the bow may have had its origin from a more frequent intercourse with North Europe and Western Europe The history of the violin, and other instruments played on with the bow from the remotest times to the present by Sandys, William, 1792-1874; Forster, Simon Andrew, 1801-1870
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List of bowed string instruments

Violin family

* Pochette * Violin (violino) * Viola (altviol, bratsche) * Cello (violoncello) * Double bass (contrabasso) ;Variants on the standard members of the violin family include: * Tenor violin * Five string violin * Cello da spalla * Baroque violin * Kontra * Kit violin * Sardino * Stroh violin * Låtfiol * Hardanger fiddle * Lira da braccio * Octobass

Viol family (Viola da Gamba family)

* Viol, Treble viol (treble viola da gamba) * Viol, Alto viol (alto viola da gamba) * Viol, Tenor viol (tenor viola da gamba) * Viol, Bass viol (bass viola da gamba) :Variants on the standard four members of the viol family include: * Pardessus de viol * Division viol * Lyra viol * Baryton * Violone * Viola d'amore * Lirone * Vihuela de arco

Lyra and rebec type

* Byzantine lyra * Cretan lyra * Calabrian lira * Gadulka * Lijerica * Ghaychak * Pochette * Rebec * Rabeca * Rebab * Kemenche * Kamancheh * Shah Kaman * Kemençe of the Black Sea * Classical kemençe

Chinese bowed instruments

* Banhu * Daguangxian * Dahu (instrument), Dahu * Dihu * Diyingehu * Erhu * Erxian * Gaohu * Gehu * Huqin * Jiaohu * Jinghu (instrument), Jinghu * Jing erhu * * Laruan * Leiqin * Matouqin * Maguhu * Sanhu * Sihu (instrument), Sihu * Tiqin * Tihu * Tuhu * Yehu * Yazheng * Xiqin (instrument), Xiqin * Zhonghu * Zhuihu * Zhuiqin * Wenzhenqin * Zhengni

Rosined wheel instruments

The following instruments are sounded by means of a turning wheel that acts as the bow. * Organistrum * Hurdy-gurdy * Donskoy ryley * Dulcigurdy a.k.a. Vielle à roue et à manche * Drejelire * Lira (Ukrainian instrument), Lira * tekerő * Ninera * Kaisatsuko * Violano Virtuoso * Wheelharp * Viola organista * Harmonichord * Bowed clavier

Other bowed instruments

* Masenqo * Violoncello da spalla * Ravanahatha * Ajaeng * Yaylı tambur * Kingri string Instrument * Shichepshin * Đàn nhị * Đàn hồ * Đàn gáo * Sohaegeum * Haegeum * Kokyū * sorud * Chuurqin * Daxophone * Arpeggione * Bowed psaltery * Bowed dulcimer * Jouhikko * Talharpa * Gue * Vielle * Giga (instrument), Giga * Fiðla * Tautirut * Agiarut * Crwth * Experimental musical instrument, Neola * Bowed guitar * Musical saw * Morin khuur * Gusle * Saw duang * Saw sam sai * Saw u * Salo (instrument) * Tro Khmer * Tro sau toch * Tro sau thom * Tro u * huqin * Sarangi * Sarangi (Nepali) * Sarinda (instrument), Sarinda * Esraj * Nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed fiddle) * Ghaychak * Gadulka * Gudok * Kobyz * Sorahi * Byzaanchy * Igil * Imzad * Umbang

References

{{Authority control Bowed string instruments,