This study investigates the effects of different bowing techniques on electromyographic (EMG) signals in erhu performance. Twenty professional erhu players with over 10 years of experience participated in the study. Surface EMG was used to measure signals from the extensor carpi radialis (ECR), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), upper trapezius (UT), and erector spinae (ES). The experiment included three bowing techniques: inner string bowing, outer string bowing, and inner-outer string switching. Each condition was repeated three times, with each trial lasting 44 s. Data were normalized to a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Tukey HSD post hoc tests was used to compare EMG signal differences across the bowing techniques. Results reported that significantly higher muscle activity of FCU was found during inner string bowing and string-switching compared to outer string bowing. This indicated increased demands for stability and muscle load in these techniques. String-switching introduced frequent movements that elevated wrist stabilization demands, potentially contributing to muscle fatigue. These findings provide insights into muscle demands in erhu performance and highlight the importance of targeted muscle training. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing erhu playing techniques and supporting long-term health in performers.