mute explained
A device attached to an instrument to soften its tone, creating a more veiled and intimate sound
In Depth
Mutes work by dampening the vibrations of the instrument. String mutes clip onto the bridge, reducing the transfer of energy from the strings to the body. Brass mutes are inserted into the bell and come in many varieties: straight mutes produce a thin, nasal tone; cup mutes create a soft, covered sound; harmon (wah-wah) mutes offer a distinctive buzzy quality. The instruction con sordino (with mute) and senza sordino (without mute) directs the player. Muted passages create an atmosphere of intimacy, distance, or mystery.
Miles Davis's signature sound on Kind of Blue was largely created by his use of the harmon mute with the stem removed, producing a small, intimate, breathy tone.