Editing String instrument (section)

==== Bowing ====
{{main|Bowed string instrument}}

[[Bowing (music)|Bowing]] (Italian: ''arco'') is a method used in some string instruments, including the [[violin]], [[viola]], [[cello]], and the [[double bass]] (of the [[violin family]]), and the old [[viol]] family. The [[bow (music)|bow]] consists of a stick with a "ribbon" of parallel horse tail hairs stretched between its ends. The hair is coated with [[rosin]] so it can grip the string; moving the hair across a string causes a [[stick-slip phenomenon]], making the string [[vibration|vibrate]], and prompting the instrument to emit sound. Darker grades of rosin grip well in cool, dry climates, but may be too sticky in warmer, more humid weather. Violin and viola players generally use harder, lighter-colored rosin than players of lower-pitched instruments, who tend to favor darker, softer rosin.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Heather K. |last=Scott |title=The Differences Between Dark and Amber Rosin |url=http://stringsmagazine.com/the-differences-between-dark-and-amber-rosin/ |magazine=Strings Magazine |date=January 5, 2004 |access-date=February 1, 2020}}</ref>

The [[ravanahatha]] is one of the oldest string instruments. Ancestors of the modern bowed string instruments are the [[rebab]] of the Islamic Empires, the Persian [[kamanche]] and the [[Byzantine lira]]. Other bowed instruments are the [[rebec]], [[hardingfele]], [[nyckelharpa]], [[kokyū]], [[erhu]], [[igil]], [[sarangi]], [[morin khuur]], and [[K'ni]]. The [[hurdy-gurdy]] is bowed by a wheel. Rarely, the [[bowed guitar|guitar has been played with a bow]] (rather than plucked) for unique effects.