Damp (stop the sound)
The plucked-string damp sign tells the performer to stop the indicated string or resonance, usually by touching it with a hand. Its scope may be one sound, a shown range or all strings, so placement and any legend are essential.
The sources do not fully agree about this sign. The explanation above says where they part company.
- String and plucked signs
- Above the note
- A circle, A cross or plus
Do not confuse it with
Laissez vibrer lets resonance continue; damp deliberately cuts it off.
What the sources say
- SMuFL — Plucked techniques
pluckedDamp — Damp
- Damp specified pitch areas
The palm of the hand damps a specific group of strings.
- Harp — Scoring
This indicates that hands should dampen all strings.