Bows Violin

heads of 3 violin bows: (upper) transitional (f. tourte), swan-bill head of long 18th-century model, pike-head of 17th-century model

a violin played using bow consisting of stick ribbon of horsehair strung between tip , frog (or nut, or heel) @ opposite ends. typical violin bow may 75 cm (30 in) overall, , weigh 60 g (2.1 oz). viola bows may 5 mm (0.20 in) shorter , 10 g (0.35 oz) heavier. @ frog end, screw adjuster tightens or loosens hair. forward of frog, leather thumb cushion, called grip, , winding protect stick , provide strong grip player s hand. winding may wire (often silver or plated silver), silk, or whalebone (now imitated alternating strips of tan , black plastic.) student bows (particularly ones made of solid fiberglass) substitute plastic sleeve grip , winding.

the hair of bow traditionally comes tail of grey male horse (which has predominantly white hair), though cheaper bows use synthetic fiber. occasional rubbing rosin makes hair grip strings intermittently, causing them vibrate. stick made out of snakewood, modern day bows traditionally made of brazilwood, although stick made more select quality (and more expensive) brazilwood called pernambuco. both types come same tree species. student bows made of fiberglass or various inexpensive woods. recent bow design innovations use carbon fiber stick, @ levels of craftsmanship. inexpensive bows students made of fiberglass.