A good example is pizzicato: instruments like the violin and cello are 'optimized' for the player to scrape a bow across the strings. Plucking may not sound as clear or bright on a violin as it does on a guitar — thats why the guitar is a guitar — but it doesn't sound bad, and it provides a nice contrast to bowing.

What is pizzicato used for?

Pizzicato is the Italian word for "plucked." To play pizzicato on a stringed instrument (such as the violin, viola, cello, or double bass) means to make the notes sound by plucking the strings with the fingers rather than by using the bow.

What does pizzicato indicate?

: a note or passage played by plucking strings. pizzicato. adverb or adjective. Definition of pizzicato (Entry 2 of 2) : by means of plucking instead of bowing —used as a direction in music — compare arco.