Spiccato
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Spiccato is a technique for bowed string instruments where the bow bounces lightly on the string.
History
The word spiccato comes from an Italian verb which means "to seperate". Before the mid-1700s, the terms spiccato and staccato where used interchangably to mean notes that where seperated. After the mid-1700s, the spiccato technique of bouncing the bow on the strings developed, and has been used since, especially in the 20th century.
Technique
Holding the bow a short distance above the string, the player bounces the bow, creating very short notes. Using spiccato technique allows for a passage of distinct notes that are clearly seperate.