Col arco

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the string staff where bowing resumes after pizzicato, as col arco or in the elided Italian form coll’arco; plain arco is far more common. It lasts until the next pizz.

Also spelled: coll’arco, coll'arco

How Composers Use It

Simply a fuller way of saying arco. Older scores sometimes print it to cancel a preceding pizzicato or to make clear that a bass line is to be bowed. In modern parts write arco, and leave enough time — usually at least a beat — for players to bring the bow back into position after pizzicato.

Example

Bach, Mass in B minor, “Qui tollis peccata mundi”, cello, m. 2: “coll’ arco e staccato”.

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