Bowed string instruments are a subcategory of string instruments that are played by a bow rubbing the strings. The bow rubbing the string causes vibration which the instrument emits as sound. Despite the numerous specialist studies devoted to the origin of bowing, the origin of bowing remains unknown.

List of bowed string instruments

Violin family

Viol family (Viola da Gamba family)

Lyra and rebec type

Chinese bowed instruments

Rosined wheel instruments

The following instruments are sounded by means of a turning wheel that acts as the bow:

Other bowed instruments