Apagados

Apagados, from the verb, "apagar", 'to mute'. In music notation, apagados refers to notes that are played dampened, the sustain muted. The term is written above or below the notes with a dotted line drawn to the end of the group of notes that are to be played dampened. Chiefly written for bowed or stringed instruments the effect is utilized in "Cancion de la Guitarra," a classical guitar piece by composer and guitarist Gerardo de Altona. The guitarist uses the upper, lateral part of the palm of the hand (near the wrist) to press down on the string(s) to be played with this effect, on the saddle bone. The pressure is varied, depending on how much sustain is to be muted. Often used in conjunction with apagados is staccato (a dot placed above or below the note, depending on the direction of the stem), which dramatically shortens the length of a note. The combination of Staccato and Apagados is most often used to express a lively or playful musical phrase.