The shino-bue is used in traditional music to enhance lyrical songs (such as folk songs and nagauta) as well as plays and dances performed in kabuki and bunraku (or ningyo joruri [traditional Japanese puppet theater]).
伝統音楽では叙情的な唄もの音楽（民謡、長唄等）や歌舞伎・文楽（人形浄瑠璃）等の芝居・舞踊を引き立てる役割として用いられる。