col legno battuto » Special playing styles - Philipp Dangas

Description and application of the playing technique col legno battuto

Col legno (i.e. with the wood of the bow) = the strings are struck with a bow stick or set in vibration. By striking (battuto) or painting (tratto). The struck col legno is fundamentally comparable to the vibrational excitation of the pizzicato.

But the development of sound with the pizzicato is not associated with any significant mechanical background noise. But in the case of the col legno, it stands out considerably and thus becomes a characteristic of this type of sound production. However, the pitch remains recognizable.

The dynamic effect of the struck col legno is much less than that of the pizzicato and also that of the normal bowed tone. It is therefore particularly suitable for mysterious, bizarre, crackling effects, and above all for effects of a rhythmic nature.

col legno battuto as part of the „symphonic world music“

Battuto offers the percussive use of the col legno. That is, using a "melodic" instrument. such as B. a violin, in percussive function. Even col legno battuto, literally. A rhythmic formula that can always form the “backbone” of a composition.

Key data on the special type of play col legno battuto

Designation:

Italian: col legno battuto
Deutsch: mit dem Holz geschlagen

Technology:

The back of the bow strikes the strings.

Result:

Short, dry, percussive sounding with indistinct pitches.

Notation:

Prescribed by indication above the system.