Pizzicato
The German musical instruction for pizzicato is Pizzicato.
Pizzicato is used as an adverbial musical instruction. In written music, the notation symbol used to indicate this technique is called a Pizzicatozeichen.
Meaning: musical instruction (adv)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, musicians use the word Kneifen to reference pizzicato.
Did you know?
- While Pizzicato is the formal term, the Bavarian alternative Kneifen literally means 'to pinch' or 'to nip'.
- In German orchestral settings, the transition back to bowing after a Pizzicato section is often marked by the term Arco, which is also an Italian loanword.
- Despite the Italian origin of Pizzicato, German capitalization rules require the word to start with an uppercase letter when used as a noun or a formal instruction in a heading.
Examples in context
- Das Stück erfordert Pizzicato auf den Violinen.The piece requires pizzicato on the violins.
- Bitte zupfen Sie die Saiten sanft.Please pluck the strings gently.
- Das Pizzicato klingt hier sehr leicht.The pizzicato sounds very light here.
- Der Kontrabassist wechselt zum Pizzicato.The double bassist switches to pizzicato.
Example conversation
In a music rehearsal room.
- SarahLukas, spiel das Pizzicato etwas lauter.Lukas, play the pizzicato a bit louder.
- LukasIst das Pizzicato jetzt gut genug?Is the pizzicato loud enough now?
- SarahJa, so klingt es viel besser.Yes, it sounds much better that way.
- LukasSuper, ich mache es so weiter.Great, I will keep doing it that way.
