Blocchetto di legno

As Printed on a Score

Labels the wood block (Blocchetto di legno, Blocco di legno) on a single line, or on two lines for a high and a low block. Do not confuse it with col legno, a string technique printed over violin parts: legno alone just means “wood”.

Also spelled: Blocco di legno

How Composers Use It

A hollow block of hardwood struck with a stick gives a dry, hollow tick of vague pitch; sets of temple blocks give graded pitches. It articulates rhythm cleanly in light textures and readily suggests clocks, hooves or clockwork toys, an association that can turn comic if overused. Specify the stick and, for more than one block, which is high and which low.

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