Mit Dämpfer

[mit DEMP-fer]GermanArticulationPrinted in scores

With mute — the German equivalent of con sordino.

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the part as mit Dämpfer or, for several players, mit Dämpfern, often with a player number or a 2 in wind parts. It lasts until Dämpfer ab, ohne Dämpfer or, for brass, offen; Dämpfer auf is the German for putting the mute on.

Also spelled: Mit Dämpfern

How Composers Use It

German equivalent of con sordino. "Ohne Dämpfer" or "Dämpfer ab" means to remove the mute. Common in Mahler and Strauss.

Example

Mahler's Symphony No. 1, third movement — "mit Dämpfer" solo double bass opens the funeral march with its famous minor-key "Frère Jacques."

Related Terms

Con sordino Dämpfer ab Ohne Dämpfer

Mit Dämpfer is one of 1760 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.

Browse the full dictionary →

Loading…