Definition

1. Adverb:

   • With a light plucking staccato sound: Indicates that a note or passage on a stringed instrument (especially of the violin family) is to be played by plucking the string with the finger instead of using the bow.

2. Adjective:

   • (Of a note or passage) to be played by plucking the strings: Describes the performance technique or the resulting sound produced by plucking the strings of a bowed string instrument.
   • (Of instruments in the violin family) to be plucked with the finger: Describes the state or instruction for the instrument.

3. Noun:

   • A note or passage that is played pizzicato: Refers to the musical note(s) or section performed using the pizzicato technique.

Examples of Usage

• Adverb:

  • The violinist played the entire section pizzicato, creating a delicate, percussive effect.
  • The score instructs the cellist to play these four bars pizzicato.

• Adjective:

  • The piece features a beautiful pizzicato passage for the double bass.
  • Listen for the pizzicato notes in the second movement.

• Noun:

  • The composer wrote a challenging pizzicato for the viola section.
  • Her execution of the rapid pizzicati was flawless.

Advanced Usage

• "Left-hand pizzicato": A technique where the finger of the left hand (the hand that normally stops the strings) plucks the string, often allowing for very fast passages.

  • The etude requires mastery of left-hand pizzicato.

• Indicated in sheet music: Typically abbreviated as "pizz." Instructions to return to using the bow are marked "arco."

  • After the pizzicato section, the music is marked "arco."

Variants and Related Words

• Pizzicati (n): The plural form of pizzicato when used as a noun.
  • The score is full of intricate pizzicati.

Synonyms

• Plucked: (Adjective) Having the strings plucked. While "plucked" is a more general term, "pizzicato" is the specific musical instruction.
  • The guitar part is plucked, not strummed.

Related Phrases

• "Pizzicato polka": A famous piece of music, often for strings, characterized by its plucked melody.
  • The orchestra performed a lively pizzicato polka as an encore.

Adjective

1. (of instruments in the violin family) to be plucked with the finger

Adverb

1. with a light plucking staccato sound

Noun

1. a note or passage that is played pizzicato