près du chevalet

**Près du chevalet** is a musical term in French that translates to "close to the bridge" in English. It is an instruction given to stringed instrument players to play their instrument close to the bridge. The bridge is the wooden structure on stringed instruments, such as guitars, violins, and cellos, that supports the strings and transmits their vibrations to the body of the instrument, producing sound. Playing close to the bridge can produce a brighter and more focused sound with a sharper attack and less sustain.