Sur le chevalet

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a string part where the bow moves onto or right against the bridge, often with tremolo; it lasts until normal bowing (position naturelle, ord.) or another position such as sur la touche is named. French scores also print près du chevalet for the same effect.

How Composers Use It

Sur le chevalet is the French sul ponticello: bowing at the bridge suppresses the fundamental and exaggerates the high partials, giving a glassy, whistling, sometimes eerie sound. It is most effective in tremolo and at soft dynamics; loud ponticello turns harsh and unstable. Use it for colour and tension rather than melody, and always mark the return to normal bowing.

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