Damp

As Printed on a Score

Printed over percussion or harp parts (damp, dampen) or shown by a damping sign at the point where the sound should stop; it applies to that moment only.

Also spelled: dampen, damped

How Composers Use It

Use it to stop resonating instruments cleanly at a rhythmic point, especially after a let-ring passage or at a sudden silence. Harpists damp with the hands, timpanists and cymbal players with the hand or fingers. Write it at the exact moment you want silence, and remember that undamped bells and gongs ring for a long time.

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