sul ponticello

Sul ponticello: On the bridge. Instruction to string players to place with the bow as close to the bridge as possible to produce a glassy metallic but mysterious sound effect. Often written, “sul pont.”.

Sul Ponticello is just Italian for “on the” (Sul) “bridge” (ponticello). Ponticello is an effect that is most often used in orchestral music to show danger or mystery. It colors the sound in such a way that it conveys a sense of coldness or starkness.

It is most used in notation and orchestration as sul ponticello – “on the bridge” – to designate a string part (e.g., violin or cello) which should be played with a bow as close to the bridge as possible. By bowing in this manner, the instrument's sound becomes brighter with more upper harmonics.

Sul Ponticello is the term used to describe the effect that comes from playing a stringed instrument such as a violin, viola, cello or bass extremely close to the bridge without too much pressure and fast enough so that the string doesn't vibrate too much.

Qualifier to musical directives meaning "at" or "over" or "on the" or "near the". This is used in terms such as Sul Tasto - "at the fingerboard"; Sul Ponticello - "at the bridge"; sulla corda La - "on the A string"; Sul G - "on the G string"; and sulla tastiera - "at the fingerboard".

On a solo instrument, Sul Ponticello can sound scratchy and unpleasant, but in a whole section the effect is of a blending of sounds, resulting in an eerie and uncomfortable feel – which may well be what is required!

However, composers quite often specify the two extremes of as close to the bridge as possible (sul ponticello), which makes quite a harsh sound, or right over the fingerboard (sul tasto), which creates a whispery tone.

Sforzando (or sforzato or forzando or forzato), indicates a forceful accent and is abbreviated as sf, sfz or fz.

Dynamic markings

on the touch Meaning 'on the touch' in Italian, Sul Tasto is a technique that requires the bow to be used over the end of the fingerboard, creating a more mellow tone.

Meaning 'on the touch' in Italian, Sul Tasto is a technique that requires the bow to be used over the end of the fingerboard, creating a more mellow tone.

Music symbols are the written language of sheet music - a collection of marks and instructions used to communicate how a piece of music should be played. These symbols represent different aspects of music, including pitch, rhythm, tempo, and dynamics, as well as articulation, phrasing, and more.