A violin bow is a device that is pulled across the strings of a violin. When the bow passes across the strings, the strings vibrate and emit a sound. A bow usually consists of a long stick of hardwood such as brazilwood or Pernambuco, though there are many synthetic options available today. A semi-elastic material or hair is stretched from one end of the wood to the other. The stretched material is the side of the bow that touches the strings.
Tropical Hardwood
A tropical hardwood violin bow is usually made from brazilwood or another common tropical wood. These bows are inexpensive and readily available, making them a common bow choice for beginning violin players.
Heavy Wood
A Pernambuco violin bow is heavier and more durable than brazilwood, but can also be more expensive due to the fact that the wood is a disappearing natural resource. Pernambuco is an elastic wood that is extremely responsive to the touch. The wood is supple and easy on the hands, and produces a richer and fuller sound. Experienced players will choose this bow over a brazilwood model.
Carbon Fiber
A carbon fiber bow is made from heavy-duty, graded carbon fiber that is almost always bonded with resin. The carbon fiber bow is a common synthetic substitute for the quickly disappearing Pernambuco bow because it offers many of the same sound and durability qualities, but it is more affordable than its wood cousin.
Fiberglass
A fiberglass violin bow is made of heavy duty fiberglass and is extremely resistant to wear and tear, making it another common choice for beginning players. Fiberglass bows are inexpensive and readily available.
Choosing a Bow
A supple, more flexible violin bow will create a smoother fuller sound, but a stiffer bow will deliver a bright focused sound. The difference in sound is a personal decision, so it is wise for new players to test both before deciding. The weight of the violin bow is also something to consider when purchasing a bow. A bow should be lightweight in your hands and feel like a natural extension of your body. The weight should also feel evenly distributed from one end of the bow to the other.
On Bow Hair
Many bows today are strung with synthetic hair or nylon material. Another common string choice is horsehair. Either way, a bow maker will generally use around 150 hairs to make one bow. Bow hairs are commonly covered with rosin, a sticky material made from colophony, which is the residue from the distillation of turpentine that keeps the hairs moving smoothly across the strings of the violin. Colophony on its own is too brittle to produce quality sound however, so most is mixed with other material such as tree sap, oil , or alkaline solutions to neutralize the acidity of the colophony. If a bow is used regularly, the hair should be replaced at least twice a year. With overuse, the hair will lose its ability to hold rosin, and the bow will no longer produce the same quality of sound.
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