Which term describes the technique of playing notes with the bow on a string instrument?

• A. Arco
• B. Arpeggio
• C. Beat
• D. Articulations

Answer: (A)

Using the bow to produce sound on a string instrument is called arco. It tells you to draw the bow across the strings to make the notes sustain with bowing. This is opposite to pizzicato, where the strings are plucked with the fingers. Arco clarifies the method of sound production, which is essential for realizing phrasing, dynamics, and bowing patterns. The other terms refer to different ideas: an arpeggio means playing the notes of a chord in sequence, the beat is the rhythmic pulse of the music, and articulations describe how notes are attacked or connected (like legato or staccato). So arco is the exact term for playing notes with the bow.