col legno

Definition

A musical notation indicating that the strings of an instrument are to be struck with the wooden part of the bow.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian col legno (literally “with the wood”).

Example Sentences

• "Webern took particular care with the col legno passages. In the quiet ostinatos of the first and third pieces (which can be seen as parallel in many ways), he added weich gezogen (gently drawn) to the col legno indications."