Bowed instruments are a family of string instruments that produce sound by drawing a bow across their strings. Common examples include the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The bow is typically made of horsehair and is coated with rosin to create friction, allowing the strings to vibrate and produce music. These instruments are played in various musical genres, from classical to folk. Each bowed instrument has a different size and pitch range, with the violin being the smallest and highest-pitched, while the double bass is the largest and lowest-pitched. Bowed instruments are essential in orchestras and chamber music.