Strings

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Suggested

Ranges

Tonal Effects (cont.)

String Mute

Another way of creating a hushed, muted effect is with an actual string mute. This small device is fitted onto the bridge and dampens the vibrations of the strings. The mute not only lowers the sound volume, but it also changes the quality of the sound itself.

To instruct a player to put on the mute, write con sordino (abbreviated as con sord.) above the part. This is Italian for "with mute." To instruct a player to remove the mute, write senza sordino (abbreviated as senza sord.) above the part. This is Italian for "without mute."

You can hear the difference in tone color between the unmuted strings and the muted strings: