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spiccato

[ spi-kah-toh; Italian speek-kah-taw ]

adjective

  1. (of violin music) performed with short, abrupt, rebounding motions of the bow.


spiccato

/ spɪˈkɑːtəʊ /

noun

  1. a style of playing a bowed stringed instrument in which the bow bounces lightly off the strings
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. to be played in this manner
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spiccato1

1840–50; < Italian, equivalent to spicc- (stem of spiccare to detach) + -ato < Latin -ātus -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spiccato1

Italian: detached, from spiccare to make distinct
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Example Sentences

Spiccato is generally held to be more difficult than staccato; yet I myself find it easier.

And in a technical way spiccato bowing, which many find so hard, has always been easy to me.

In light spiccato and staccato the detached notes should be played always with a single stroke of the bow.

In a very broad spiccato, the arm may be brought into play; but otherwise not, since it makes rapid playing impossible.

He cannot play spiccato or any of the 'bouncing' bowings, including various forms of arpeggios, with a poor stick.

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