Ricochet technique is defined as

• A. Slow, heavy bowing
• B. Rapid bouncing of the upper third of the bow as the player drops the bow on a down-bow
• C. Pizzicato
• D. Two-note-per-bow bowing

Answer: (B)

Ricochet is a bowing technique that produces a rapid series of notes by allowing the bow to strike the string and bounce repeatedly in one direction. It is typically achieved by dropping the bow onto the string from near the tip, so the weight and gravity cause the stick to rebound in quick succession, often using the upper third of the bow for this effect. A relaxed wrist and light grip let the bow hair catch and release the string smoothly, creating a flutter of notes rather than a single sustained tone. This differs from slow, heavy bowing, which aims for a long, connected sound, and from pizzicato, which involves plucking the string rather than bowing.