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How is sul E played?
Play the indicated notes on the E string even where another fingering would be easier. On violin G–D–A–E, it is the highest and brightest string, often giving a brilliant, penetrating colour and requiring high positions for notes available lower elsewhere. On standard four-string double bass E–A–D–G, E is instead the lowest string; viola and cello normally have no E string. Continue through the marked span until another string instruction, cancellation or clear end of the line.
How does sul E sound?
A bright, brilliant, sometimes piercing tone — the violin's most penetrating string colour.
In context
Sul E literally means “on the E string”, and published violin material uses the full phrase. The E string is violin string I in standard G–D–A–E tuning, but double-bass string IV in standard E–A–D–G tuning, so the instruction is not inherently violin-only and its colour depends on the instrument. Pitch letters and Roman numerals are alternative string indicators, not abbreviations of sul E.