Sul tasto indicates playing

• A. Near the bridge producing a harsh tone
• B. On the string for pizzicato
• C. In the middle of the bow for heavy tone
• D. Over the end of the fretboard to produce a light airy sound

Answer: (D)

Sul tasto is about tone color controlled by bow placement. It tells you to bow over the fingerboard, where the string’s vibrations are damped a bit, giving a softer, more flute-like, airy sound with less projection. This lyrical, delicate timbre contrasts with sul ponticello (near the bridge) that produces a bright, metallic edge. The option describing bowing over the end of the fingerboard to create a light, airy sound aligns with this effect. The other descriptions point to different techniques—pizzicato is plucked, not bowed; a heavy tone usually comes from more weight toward the frog or different bow placement, not the light sul tasto effect.