How to Use Plucking Technique for Cello

An interesting technique to try when paying the cello is the pizzicato, or plucking technique. It is most commonly used when playing kinds of music other than classical, which calls for mostly bow playing. The plucking technique gives the cello a shorter and more percussive way to play notes with cello, instead of the long and drawn-out melancholy sound that is the traditional sound. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get the bow out of the way. Plucking is usually done with the right hand or the hand that holds the bow. If the duration of notes being plucked is rather long, the bow should be set down. If it is short, then plucking needs to be done with one finger of the right hand while the bow remains in the hand.

2. Place the right hand thumb about two inches above the end of the baseboard of the cello. Keeping the thumb in place helps to maintain control of the hand and uniform placement while plucking. Keeping the thumb placed there also provides an anchor for the hand so that more pressure can be put into the plucking motion.

3. Pluck the string with one finger. The finger most commonly used is the pointer finger, or first finger. For a stronger sound, use the first two fingers, or the pointer and middle finger.

4. Create a progression in intensity of the notes by plucking with all of the fingers. Pluck the first string using the first finger and the second with the middle finger.

5. Strum the fingers for a much different sound. This is done in the same way that a guitar is strummed, and creates much the same sound. A cello is strummed with the thumb across all of the strings.

6. Use two hands for plucking. This is often used when music is very rapid. The hand used to pluck is alternated rapidly to keep up with fast tempo.

7. Pluck with the left hand for small parts of the music that happen too fast to allow the bow to be set down.