Sul ponticello is an technique used on a
bowed string instrument where the player moves the
bow near or (almost) on the
bridge. This produces a
sharp, bright, hard and
brittle sound. Often used by
composers when a somewhat ghostly
effect is wanted from the
string section of an
orchestra.
Sul ponticello, often abbreviated sul pont., is used primarily in contemporary classical music. Combined with tremolo and/or glissando, the strings can make some very astonishing sounds.