spiccato

American  

[spi-kah-toh, speek-kah-taw] / spɪˈkɑ toʊ, spikˈkɑ tɔ /

adjective

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

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spiccato British  

/ spɪˈkɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. a style of playing a bowed stringed instrument in which the bow bounces lightly off the strings

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adjective

1. to be played in this manner

Etymology

Origin of spiccato

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spiccato

This question as to what portion of the bow to use for spiccato each violinist must decide for himself, however, through experiment.

From Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens

Too many amateurs try to play spiccato from the arm.

From Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens

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

From Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens

All phases of technical accomplishment, if rightly acquired, tend to become second nature to the player in the course of time: staccato, a brilliant trick; spiccato, the reiteration of notes played from the wrist, etc.

From Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens

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

From Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens

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