Col legno bowing uses which part of the bow?

• A. Using the hair of the bow
• B. Using the back side of the bow - the wood side - rather than the hair
• C. Using the tip to percuss the string
• D. Using the frog to mute strings

Answer: (B)

Col legno means playing with the wood of the bow rather than the hair. In this effect, the back side of the bow—the wood surface opposite the hair—contacts the strings to produce a sharp, percussive sound. Using the hair yields the usual bowed tone, while the tip or frog describes different techniques, not col legno.