Sheet music featuring spiccato

Spiccato is a bowing technique whereby the bow bounces lightly on the string.

Each note has a short, distinct, ringing tone.

Spiccato is made possible by the elasticity of the string, combined with the natural springiness of the bow.

The speed of the spiccato is determined by bow placement (closer to the balance point will be slower) and height of bounce.

The character of the spiccato depends on the quantity of bowhair used, or tilt of the bow : use of full hair will produce a shorter spiccato, while a more angled approach will yield a longer, mellow spiccato.