Sul ponticello

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the string staff as sul ponticello, sul pont. or pont., often with tremolo and divisi. It stays in force until ordinario (ord.) or naturale (nat.). Modern scores may also abbreviate it s.p. and show a gradual move between tasto and ponticello with an arrow.

Abbreviations: sul pont., pont., sul pont

How Composers Use It

Sul ponticello creates an eerie, metallic tone quality — the harmonic overtones are emphasized while the fundamental is weakened. Use it for ghostly effects, tension, or supernatural atmospheres. Mark "ordinario" or "nat." to return to normal bowing position.

Example

Berg's "Wozzeck" — sul ponticello strings create the hallucinatory atmosphere of Wozzeck's madness.

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