Plucking

There are many techniques for plucking string instruments. This article lists and describes the main types. Demonstrations and discussion of various techniques can be found in the video and audio clips below....

Cello Pizzicato

Description: plucking the string, as opposed to bowing

Notation: pizz

Comments: At the end of a pizzicato passage the instruction arco is used to indicate that players change to bowing instead of plucking.

Pizzicato Chords

Description: two or more notes plucked together.

Notation: pizz

Comments: When chords appear in a pizzicato passage they are usually strummed. Chords will be strummed from the lowest note upwards unless indicated otherwise (perhaps by a downward arrow beside the chord).

Pizzicato Glissando

Description: after the note is plucked the left hand finger slides up or down the string.

Notation: the same as a bowed example, but with the word pizz underneath

Comments: A quiet effect. If you listen to the examples below you will notice that the glissando part is very quiet compared to the plucking sound at the start of the note.

Snap Pizz

Description: Snap or 'Bartok' Pizzicato involves pulling the string upwards and allowing it to 'snap' sharply against the fingerboard.

Notation: snap pizz written instruction or the symbol shown opposite - a circle with a vertical line at 12 o'clock

Comments: Often used by Béla Bartók, hence the nickname.

Nail Pizz

Description: plucking with the fingernail

Notation: nail pizz

Comments: Can be painful, but gives a crisp start to the pizzicato sound. Cellists will use a guitar plectrum if there is a lot of nail pizz to do.

Left Hand Pizz

Description: plucked with left hand rather than the bowing hand.

Notation: a + sign above the note

Comments: Can be combined with arco so that players produce both plucked and bowed notes simultaneously.