Pizzicato

What it is: Plucking the string with the finger instead of bowing.

What it sounds like: Short, percussive, dry. A completely different character from bowed sound — more like a guitar or harp attack with quick decay.

When to use it: Bass lines, rhythmic accompaniment, light textures, comedic or playful passages. Pizzicato cellos and basses are one of the best bass-line sounds in the orchestra.

Tip: Players need a moment to switch from arco (bowed) to pizzicato and back. Don't write the transition in the middle of a fast passage — give them a beat of rest.