Page "Bow (music)" Paragraph 2

A bow consists of a specially shaped stick with other material forming a ribbon stretched between its ends, which is used to stroke the string and create sound.

Different musical cultures have adopted various designs for the bow.

For instance, in some bows a single cord is stretched between the ends of the stick.

In the Western tradition of bowmaking — bows for the instruments of the violin and viol families — a hank of horsehair is normally employed.