(Fr.; Ger. Springbogen; It. saltando, saltato).
A bowstroke played rapidly in the middle of the bow, one bowstroke per note, so that the bow bounces very slightly off the string of its own accord. It is not indicated in any consistent manner: sometimes dots are placed above or below the notes, sometimes arrow-head strokes, and sometimes the stroke is simply left to the performer's discretion. ‘Spiccato’ and ‘sautillé’ are sometimes used as synonyms, though Spiccato tends to be applied to a broader range of off-the-string strokes. See Bow, §II, 3.
DAVID D. BOYDEN/PETER WALLS