Pizzicato

[John Craton]

I'm just a dumb violinist with a very basic question. Some of the mandolin music I've been reviewing lately calls for certain notes to be played pizzicato. In violin music, pizzicato means to play the note by plucking the string with the finger rather than by bowing. Since the mandolin is generally plucked anyway (albeit with a plectrum), what does the term mean for mandolin? Is the perfomer to pluck the string with the finger instead of the plectrum? If that's not the meaning, what term is used to indiacate plucking with the finger, or, alternately, strumming with the back of the fingernails? Just curious.

[Eugene]

It can mean a lot of things. #Sometimes it's left-hand pizzicato, but that's usually clearly indicated as it would be for violin. #As often as not, a right-hand palm mute is an appropriate approach to mandolin pizzicato. #Sometimes, plucking the string with the finger is appropriate.

[Blueglass]

I think it is also a style to pick way back next to the bridge when going for that short sound also.

[John Craton]

Could be, but I thought the proper term for that would be "sul ponticello" or, amongst the Germans, "metallica".