Bow (string instruments)
A bow for bowing the strings.
What it means
Streichbogen is the full designation for the bow of the string instruments and distinguishes it from other meanings of the word Bogen, for instance the slur in notation or the arch form as the construction plan of a movement. What is meant is the device of stick, frog, screw, and stretched horsehair with which violin, viola, cello, double bass, and related instruments are played. Every instrument size has its own construction: the double bass bow is shorter and heavier than the violin bow, and for it two widespread holds exist with differently shaped frogs.
Musical use
The bow turns a string into an instrument with breath. Because it continuously excites the vibration, the note can be held for any length of time, shaped in volume, and changed in colour — properties that secure the strings their role as the tonal backbone of the orchestra. All bow strokes, all articulation, and a large part of what is heard as expression arise at this point of contact between hair and string.
Other names
In the string context one usually speaks simply of the “bow” (Bogen). The word is ambiguous: in notation, Bogen also means the legato slur, the phrase slur, and the tie.
Performance practice
Choose a bow that suits your instrument and your hand; weight and balance point matter more than appearance. When buying, try long sustained notes, fast string crossings, and bouncing strokes — the differences show themselves above all in the second and third point. Tighten the hair before playing, loosen it afterward, and occasionally apply rosin sparingly. Do not touch the hair with your fingers. Have the frog and screw checked regularly by a bow maker, especially if the tension can be set only jerkily. For music before 1800, a reconstruction of an older bow model is worthwhile if available.
Bear in mind that for music before 1800, reconstructions of older bow models are available: they are lighter, respond more briefly, and pull back by themselves at the end of the stroke, which favours an articulated performance. Whoever plays such music regularly should consider the acquisition and practise the different bowing specifically. Tighten the hair only moderately and loosen it after playing. Have the frog and screw checked regularly.