Hinter dem Steg: meaning and use in music

Hinter dem Steg means behind the bridge: play on the short afterlength of string between the bridge and tailpiece.

DE hinter dem Steg bowing advanced Support my free tools

How is hinter dem Steg played?

Move from the normal speaking length to the string segment behind the bridge, then use the action the score specifies or implies: bow, pluck or strike. The available pitches and response vary with instrument, string and setup, while bow pressure and contact can shift the result from a high brittle tone to overtone-rich noise. Do not confuse this separate string segment with near-bridge or directly-on-bridge playing.

How does hinter dem Steg sound?

high, brittle, noise- or overtone-like special sound

In context

Ardian Halimi’s score legend labels the strings behind the bridge and later writes pizz. hinter dem Steg, proving that location and action are separate instructions. Stefan Streich likewise defines a dedicated four-string afterlength clef, and conTimbre catalogues behind-the-bridge contact independently from col legno and gettato. The phrase is a modern special-effect location and is written out; no stable German short form was found.

Equivalent terms

  • FR derrière le chevalet
  • EN behind the bridge
  • DA bag stolen
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