Col legno

Definition

Col legno is a musical term that instructs string players to use the wooden side of their bow to strike the strings instead of the typical horsehair. This technique creates a unique, percussive sound that adds an expressive and sometimes eerie quality to the music. It became a notable effect in orchestral compositions, particularly in the Romantic era, where composers experimented with new textures and colors in their works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Col legno was notably used by Hector Berlioz in his work 'Symphonie Fantastique', particularly in the 'March to the Scaffold' movement.
2. This technique produces a distinctively dry and percussive sound, which contrasts with the smoother tones typically associated with bowed strings.
3. Composers in the Romantic period were particularly drawn to col legno as it allowed for innovative orchestral textures and dramatic effects.
4. The use of col legno can convey a sense of urgency or unease, making it suitable for scenes depicting horror or tension in musical narratives.
5. The technique is sometimes written as 'col legno tratto' when players are instructed to use the wood of the bow while still drawing it across the strings.

Review Questions

• How does col legno contribute to the overall texture and expressiveness of orchestral music during the Romantic era?
  • Col legno adds a distinctive percussive element to orchestral music, enhancing its texture and emotional depth. Composers like Berlioz utilized this technique to create dramatic contrasts and evoke specific atmospheres, making it an essential tool in their expressive toolkit. By incorporating col legno, composers could explore innovative soundscapes that went beyond traditional bowing techniques.
• Compare col legno with pizzicato in terms of their effects on string instruments and their usage in compositions.
  • Both col legno and pizzicato are unconventional playing techniques that create unique sound qualities on string instruments. While col legno produces a sharp, percussive sound through striking the strings with the bow's wooden side, pizzicato offers a more resonant tone created by plucking. These techniques allow composers to expand their palette of sounds, often used together to add variety and expressiveness to orchestral works.
• Evaluate the significance of col legno in Berlioz's 'Symphonie Fantastique' and how it reflects broader trends in 19th-century orchestral music.
  • In 'Symphonie Fantastique', Berlioz's use of col legno exemplifies the Romantic period's fascination with novel orchestral effects and emotional storytelling. The percussive quality of col legno not only enhances the dramatic tension within specific movements but also aligns with the era's exploration of diverse instrumental timbres. This technique reflects a broader trend in 19th-century music where composers sought to push boundaries, encouraging more expressive and imaginative approaches to orchestration.

Related terms

Pizzicato: A string playing technique where the player plucks the strings with their fingers instead of using the bow.

Bowed Strings: Instruments like violins, violas, cellos, and double basses that produce sound by using a bow to create friction against the strings.

Tremolo: A technique involving rapid back-and-forth movement of the bow across the strings to create a trembling sound effect.