Sul Tasto
Definition. On the fingerboard — bowing over the fingerboard, producing a soft, hollow, flutelike tone. Abbreviated *s.t.*
Detailed Explanation
Sul tasto, abbreviated s.t., is Italian for ‘on the fingerboard’. As a string playing technique it instructs the performer to bow over the fingerboard rather than between the bridge and fingerboard, producing a soft, hollow, flute-like tone that minimizes the upper partials.
Sul tasto is the natural counterpart to sul ponticello. Where sul ponticello emphasizes upper partials and sounds glassy, sul tasto suppresses them and sounds soft and hollow. The character is dreamy, pastoral, sometimes mysterious — a veiled tone that recedes into the texture.
The related term flautando (‘flute-like’) is sometimes used as an alternative or complement to sul tasto. Both indicate a soft, hollow string tone that mimics the timbre of a flute.
Etymology
Italian, ‘on the fingerboard’ — sul (‘on the’) + tasto (‘key, fingerboard’).
In Practice
Move the bow contact point over the fingerboard. Use a light bow weight and slow speed to preserve the soft, hollow character. The tone should feel breathy, almost like a wind instrument.
Notable Examples
- Debussy — Various string works (frequent sul tasto effects)
- Stravinsky — Various (common in modern string scoring)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sul Tasto mean in music?
On the fingerboard — bowing over the fingerboard, producing a soft, hollow, flutelike tone. Abbreviated s.t.
Where does the word Sul Tasto come from?
Italian, ‘on the fingerboard’ — sul (‘on the’) + tasto (‘key, fingerboard’).
How is Sul Tasto performed in practice?
Move the bow contact point over the fingerboard. Use a light bow weight and slow speed to preserve the soft, hollow character. The tone should feel breathy, almost like a wind instrument.
What are common abbreviations for Sul Tasto?
Sul Tasto is commonly abbreviated as s.t..
What musical terms are related to Sul Tasto?
Related terms include: Sul Ponticello, Flautando.
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