A punto d'arco
A string-playing direction to play at the tip of the bow.
What it means
A punto d'arco means “at the point of the bow” and instructs string players to execute a passage in the uppermost, tip-near section of the bow rather than in the middle or at the frog.
In the notation
The instruction appears as a verbal addition above the relevant note or phrase, often alongside up-bow or down-bow markings that specify the exact bow position.
Musical use
The tip of the bow naturally produces a lighter, finer sound with less natural weight than the frog. Composers use a punto d'arco for especially delicate, soft, or filigree passages, such as short, light staccato figures or gently fading phrase endings.
Performance practice
Deliberately keep the bow in its uppermost third and work with less arm weight so the tone does not become scratchy. Since less natural weight is available at the tip, you need finer bow control and more attention to pressure than in the middle of the bow.