bowed stringed instrument
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A bowed stringed instrument is a musical instrument from the chordophone family, characterized by having strings that produce sound primarily when vibrated by the action of a bow drawn across them. The bow is typically a wooden stick with a ribbon of horsehair or synthetic material under tension.
Usage
The term refers to the class of instruments played with a bow. It is a formal, descriptive term used in musicology and general description. * The violin, viola, cello, and double bass are all bowed stringed instruments. * The orchestra's section of bowed stringed instruments provides a rich, sustained foundation for the music.
Examples
- She is a master of the bowed stringed instrument, specializing in the viola.
- The exhibit featured historical bowed stringed instruments from around the world.
- The piece was written specifically for a quartet of bowed stringed instruments.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in contrast to "plucked stringed instruments" (like the guitar or harp) or "struck stringed instruments" (like the piano).
- The composition interestingly blends sounds from bowed stringed instruments with those of plucked ones.
Variants and Related Words
- String instrument (n): The broader category that includes all instruments whose sound is produced by vibrating strings, whether bowed, plucked, or struck.
- Chordophone (n): The formal organological classification for any instrument that produces sound from vibrating strings.
- Fiddle (n): A colloquial term, often for the violin, especially in folk music contexts.
Synonyms
- String instrument (in the specific context of being played with a bow)
- Chordophone (when the playing method is specified or understood)
Related Phrases
- String section (n): The group of bowed stringed instruments (violins, violas, cellos, double basses) in an orchestra or band.
- Bowed strings (n): A common shorthand term used by musicians and composers to refer to these instruments collectively.
- The arrangement calls for a lush background from the bowed strings.
Noun
- stringed instruments that are played with a bow
- the strings played superlatively well