Which term indicates producing a soft, airy tone by bowing near the fingerboard?

Which term indicates producing a soft, airy tone by bowing near the fingerboard?

• A. sul ponticello
• B. sul tasto
• C. detache
• D. ondule

Answer: (B)

Bowing over the fingerboard, called sul tasto, creates a soft, airy tone because the string is damped by the portion closest to the neck. This lighter contact and reduced bridge tension soften the attack and suppress many high harmonics, giving a gentler, more singing, flute-like color. To achieve this effect, use lighter bow pressure and a smoother, slower bow stroke, keeping the bow toward the upper portion of the string to avoid the harsher brightness that comes from closer to the bridge. This is different from sul ponticello, which places the bow near the bridge for a brighter, more metallic tone; detache describes a detached articulation rather than a color change; and ondule isn’t a standard term for producing this particular tone quality.

Bowing over the fingerboard, called sul tasto, creates a soft, airy tone because the string is damped by the portion closest to the neck. This lighter contact and reduced bridge tension soften the attack and suppress many high harmonics, giving a gentler, more singing, flute-like color. To achieve this effect, use lighter bow pressure and a smoother, slower bow stroke, keeping the bow toward the upper portion of the string to avoid the harsher brightness that comes from closer to the bridge. This is different from sul ponticello, which places the bow near the bridge for a brighter, more metallic tone; detache describes a detached articulation rather than a color change; and ondule isn’t a standard term for producing this particular tone quality.