A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ponticello

PONTICELLO (Ital. for the bridge of a stringed instrument) or 'sul ponticello' a term indicating that a passage on the violin, tenor, or violoncello, is to be played by crossing the strings with the bow close to the bridge. In this way the vibration of the string is partially stopped, and a singular hissing sound produced. It occurs in solo pieces as well as in concerted music. The closing passage of the Presto, No. 5 of Beethoven's Quartet in C♯ minor, op. 131, is a well-known instance.

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