My voice is tender, my waist is slender and I'm often invited to play. Yet wherever I go I must take my bow or else I have nothing to say. What am I?

Why this works

This riddle cleverly describes a violin using both literal and metaphorical language. The "voice" of the violin refers to the sound it produces when played, which can be soft and tender, while the "waist" describes the instrument's hourglass shape, which is indeed slender. The key to the riddle lies in the phrase "must take my bow," as it refers to the bow used to play the violin, but also plays on the idea of taking a bow as a performer does, highlighting the instrument’s role in music and performance. Thus, the answer—a violin—makes perfect sense in the context of the clues provided!