So how do you transform the weakest, tiniest finger into a pinpointed powerhouse? First you need to focus your energy and pressure on the fingertip. Very often, it falls to the pinkie to perform the pizzicato. Left-hand pizzicato requires using fingers that are normally engaged in drumming out notes on the fingerboard to pluck the string. After the novelty wears off, it’s replaced with more complicated techniques and virtuosic examples, such as in Paganini's 24th Caprice and Sarasate's 'Zigeunerweisen.' In these cases, the bow hits the string while the fourth finger plucks the string - so how do you manage that?
In these cases, it’s a neat effect and relatively easy to perform, since it’s usually on the open E string. In fact, the little plus sign which denotes a left-hand pizzicato comes up in early repertoire, in books meant for elementary school orchestras and pieces for beginners.
