When you draw the bow across the strings of the violin, it creates vibrations which produce the musical notes. The bow is made up of hundreds of horse hairs that when pulled across the strings, cause them to vibrate back and forth. The hairs of the bow are tensioned tightly, allowing the bow to produce a consistent sound when drawn across the strings.
Creates Friction that Sets the String in Motion
The bow helps in drawing the strings of the violin, causing friction that sets them into a state of vibration. The more pressure is applied on the bow, the stronger the vibrations become, and the louder the sound produced by the instrument.
Controls Pitch
The bow also helps in controlling the pitch of the sound produced by the instrument. By drawing the bow at a different speed or pressure and with varying degrees of force, different notes can be played on the violin.
Creates Timbre and Dynamics
The bow also helps to create different types of timbre and dynamics while playing the violin. Timbre refers to the quality and color of the sound, while dynamics refers to the volume or intensity of the sound produced. By varying the speed, pressure, and angle of the bow, the musician can create different timbres and dynamics with the sound of the violin.