Pizzicato
Definition. Plucked — on bowed string instruments, the strings are plucked with the fingers rather than bowed. Abbreviated *pizz.*
Detailed Explanation
Pizzicato, abbreviated pizz., is a string playing technique in which the strings are plucked with the fingers rather than bowed. The result is a crisp, percussive, detached note with a quickly decaying tone — quite different from the sustained sound of bowed (arco) playing.
The technique is fundamental to string repertoire. Pizzicato passages appear in virtually every orchestral and chamber music work involving strings — from Vivaldi to the present. The pizzicato bass line is a foundational element of jazz; the pizzicato accompaniment is a staple of operatic and film scoring.
Variations on standard pizzicato exist: Bartók pizzicato (snap pizzicato), where the string is pulled hard and released to slap against the fingerboard, producing a percussive snap; left-hand pizzicato, where the fingers of the left hand pluck the string while the right hand may continue bowing; and col legno pizzicato, struck with the wood of the bow.
Etymology
Italian, past participle of pizzicare (‘to pinch, pluck’), from pizza (‘pinch, point’).
In Practice
On violin and viola, pluck with the fleshy pad of the index finger, drawing the string sideways for a clean attack. On cello and bass, the technique is similar but with more weight. Keep the bow ready for quick changes back to arco.
Notable Examples
- Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 4, third movement (Pizzicato ostinato — the entire movement)
- Strauss — Pizzicato Polka (showcase pizzicato writing)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pizzicato mean in music?
Plucked — on bowed string instruments, the strings are plucked with the fingers rather than bowed. Abbreviated pizz.
Where does the word Pizzicato come from?
Italian, past participle of pizzicare (‘to pinch, pluck’), from pizza (‘pinch, point’).
How is Pizzicato performed in practice?
On violin and viola, pluck with the fleshy pad of the index finger, drawing the string sideways for a clean attack. On cello and bass, the technique is similar but with more weight. Keep the bow ready for quick changes back to arco.
What are common abbreviations for Pizzicato?
Pizzicato is commonly abbreviated as pizz..
What musical terms are related to Pizzicato?
Related terms include: Arco, Col Legno.
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