Mute

Mutes work by dampening an instrument's vibrations, reducing volume and changing the timbreTimbreThe characteristic quality of a sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another.View full entry → to something typically softer, more veiled, or nasal. On string instruments, a small clamp placed on the bridge absorbs energy from the vibrating strings, producing the characteristic silvery, distant sound marked "con sordinoCon sordinoWith mute; using a mute on the instrument.View full entry →" in scores.