pizzicato
Plucking the string, as opposed to bowing (arco). Notated pizz. Players may put the bow down for extended pizzicato passages.
piano
C3
Bb4
Eb4
A4
E5
C6
forte
C3
B3
Eb4
D5
E5
C6
snap pizz. (Bartok pizz.)
Pulling the string upwards and allowing it to 'snap' sharply against the fingerboard. Notated snap pizz. Often used by Béla Bartók, hence the nickname.
C3
Bb3
Eb4
A4
F5
C6
pizzicato tremolo
Rapid motion of the finger against the string. Notated pizz trem. Tiring to execute for long periods on the viola and rarely used.
glissando
Plucked glissando, notated gliss pizz. Note
that it is possible to make a gliss away from an open
string.
Gb3
Bb3
Bb4
E5
quasi guitar
Violin held sideways against the body and strummed. Notated quasi guitar. Make sure the chord shapes are simple!
quasi guitar
left hand pizz
Plucked with left hand rather than bowing hand. Notated with a + over the note. Use with extreme caution. The fingerings need to be very carefully considered.
