The bowed piano technique involves flexible bows made from monofilament nylon fishing line, coated in rosin. The nylon is threaded under the piano's strings, enabling the performer to coax a sustained tone from the piano. The resulting sound is organic, shape-shifting, massive, foreboding yet delicate. It is incredibly versatile, very musical and completely unique. It seems to strike a middle ground somewhere between a synthesizer pad and a stringed instrument and manages to sound like neither.

Typically in recent times, involves an ensemble of up to 10 musicians.