Which term describes a tremolo-like effect on two adjacent strings?

• A. Sautillé
• B. Detache
• C. Spiccato
• D. Ondule

Answer: (D)

The concept here is creating a tremolo-like texture by rapidly alternating the bow between two adjacent strings. This two-string tremolo produces a shimmering, wave-like effect that you get from moving the bow quickly back and forth across the two strings and keeping a steady speed and pressure. The term used to describe this specific effect is ondule, which highlights that undulating, continuous tremolo sound across adjacent strings.

This is different from sautillé, which is a light, bouncing stroke on a single string for a delicate, percussive feel; detache, which is a clean, separated note on a single string; and spiccato, which is a bouncing stroke off the stick on a single string. The two-string, tremolo-like texture fits the idea of ondule, making it the best choice for this description.