MUTE (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. tnutus, dumb)  , silent or incapable of speech . For the human physical incapacity see DEAF AND DUMB . In phonetics (q.v.) a "mute" letter is one which (like p or g) represents no individual sound . The name of "mutes" is given, for obvious reasons, to the undertaker's assistants at a funeral . In music a "mute" (Ital. sordino, from Lat. surdus, deaf) is a device for deadening the sound in an instrument by checking its vibrations . Its use is marked by the sign c.s . (con sordino), and its cessation by s.s . (senza sordino) . In the case of the violin and other stringed instruments this object is attained by the use of a piece of brass, wood or ivory, so shaped as to fit on the bridge without touching the strings and hold it so tightly as to deaden or muffle the vibrations . In the case of brass wind instruments a leather, wooden or papier mache pad in the shape of a pear with a hole through it is placed in the bell of the instrument, by which the passage of the sound is impeded . The interference with the pitch of the instruments has led to the invention of elaborately constructed mutes . Players on the horn and trumpet frequently use the left hand as a mute .

Drums are muted or "muffled" either by the pressure of the hand on the

head, or by covering with cloth . In the side drum this is effected by the insertion of pieces of cloth between the membrane and the "snares," or by loosening the "snares." The muting of a pianoforte is obtained by the use of the soft-pedal .