Mute designation words in the score - languages

[scsigurl2020]

I have this small collection of words used to designate putting on and
removing the mute. So far I have:

Italian: con sord., senza sord. (sordino)

French: avec sord., sans sord. (sourdine) or
mettez les sourdines, ôtez les sourdines

German: mit Dämpfer (Dämpfer aut),
ohne Dämpfer (Dämpfer ab/weg)

English: mute, unmute

My questions are (1) is what I have so far correct; (2) have you seen
other ways of designating this instruction; and (3) should other
langugages be included, and if so, what are the words you have seen.

TIA

[Dave Holland]

scsigurl2020 <sunmusi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>I have this small collection of words used to designate putting on and
>removing the mute. So far I have:

In violin parts I've seen a squared-off "M" (like a capital E rotated
clockwise 90 degrees) meaning mutes on, and the same upside-down (like
E rotated anticlockwise 90 degrees) for mutes off.

Dave

[scsigurl2020]

On Jan 3, 10:54 am, Dave Holland <d...@biff.org.uk> wrote:

Yes, I should add that also, probably. Thanks.

[John Howell]

Are you concerned only with string mutes? They
are a normal part of brass players' kits as well.

My stand partner uses the icons described by Dave
and I've gotten used to them although I didn't
learn them as a student. They are compact, can
usually be fit in where they're needed even in a
crowded score, and don't depend on language
facility. Too many engravers (who obviously are
NOT performers!) place the text indications in
absolutely the wrong places, often too late to
allow putting the mutes on at all, not realizing
that we need warning in advance.

For brass instruments, sordino or Dämpfer will do
quite well for the "standard" straight mute, but
most brass players will have an array of from 2
to 10 different mutes available (at least 2 for
horn players, plus hand stopping), and it's more
usual to designate the specific kind of mute
that's wanted rather than a generic instruction:
"Straight mute," "Cup mute," Harmon mute (no
stem)," etc. And the instruction to remove the
mute is (in English) always "Open." One has to
be careful about using brand names to designate
specific mutes, although "Harmon" is understood
to mean the aluminum (or copper) Wa-Wa mute with
the movable and removable central stem. And
"Plunger" means the generic toilet-bowl cleaner,
although there are brand name "Plunger" mutes
available as well at higher prices. "In hat"
used to indicate a real, felt hat, but today
usually means a hard-shell, hat-shaped mute with
flocking on the interior. Mute theory and
practice is especially important in jazz, less so
in concert bands, and least in orchestras, where
a player might never use anything except a
straight mute.

I have never seen the instructions "Mute" or
"Unmute" in real music, but I supposed they could
be used and they would certainly be understood.
But as always, the Italian carries the most
widespread meaning to the most people, at least
among string players. The older ebony or
rosewood string mutes do have a different sound
(and a better sound in my opinion) from the
rubber mutes now in widespread use, but the
awkwardness of handling them mitigates against
their use in most situations, and I've never
known a composer to specify one or the other.
Composers DO, however, ask for quick changes that
can only be accomplished with mutes that are
already mounted on the instruments.

John


--
John R. Howell, Assoc. Prof. of Music
Virginia Tech Department of Music
School of Performing Arts & Cinema
College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
290 College Ave., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0240
Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034
(mailto:John....@vt.edu)
http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html

"Machen Sie es, wie Sie wollen, machen Sie es nur schön."
(Do it as you like, just make it beautiful!) --Johannes Brahms

[scsigurl2020]

> (mailto:John.How...@vt.edu)http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html

>
> "Machen Sie es, wie Sie wollen, machen Sie es nur schön."

> (Do it as you like, just make it beautiful!)  --Johannes Brahms- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I am only concerned with string mutes, but thank you.