Con oggetto metallico: meaning and use in music

Con oggetto metallico means with a metal object: use a specifically suitable metal implement for the notated action; write the complete Italian phrase in full.

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How is con oggetto metallico played?

Use the metal object named in the legend or agreed with the performer—a coin, rod, triangle beater or another suitable implement—and apply the separately notated action, such as striking, tapping, scraping, sliding or damping, at the specified contact point. Metal often gives an unusually bright, ringing, clicking or scraping result, but the object’s alloy, size, weight, shape and action strongly affect the sound. Never treat the phrase as blanket permission to use metal on any surface: metal can mark strings, finishes and heads or damage wooden and metal bars, so instrument approval and a safe maximum force are part of the instruction.

How does con oggetto metallico sound?

A bright, hard, metallic ring or scrape, shimmering and rich in high partials.

In context

Con oggetto metallico means with a metal object and belongs to nonstandard implement notation. It names material, not one fixed object, action, loudness or timbre, and it is parallel in meaning to German mit Metallgegenstand without borrowing that term’s forms. Con ogg. met. lacked three independent direct expansions of this exact Italian phrase, so the headword remains written out.

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