What does "sautillé" typically refer to in bowing technique?

The term "sautillé" in bowing technique refers specifically to a light bouncing motion of the bow on the strings. This technique allows the player's bow to make quick and agile movements while maintaining a light touch. Sautillé is characterized by a rapid, controlled rebounding of the bow, resulting in a staccato effect that can add a lively and articulate quality to the music.

This technique is particularly useful in creating a light texture in fast passages or when playing notes in quick succession, making it popular among string players to achieve a bright, crisp sound. The effectiveness of sautillé lies in the player's ability to control the height and speed of the bow bounces, which contributes to the overall expressiveness in performance.