About Our Bows

Many music fans know that there is a storied history behind the craftsmanship of violins, violas, cellos and basses—after all, what could be more important to a musician than their instrument? For string players, selecting the right bow is almost as essential as finding the right instrument, and the craftsmanship of bow-making is deeply intricate. Minnesota Orchestra musicians Rebecca Albers (viola), Robert Anderson (bass) and Aaron Janse (violin) take you on a tour of their respective bow collections, share a bit about the history of the bow and demonstrate why making the correct selection is so vital to doing the job right.