Abstract: A vibration dampening apparatus and method for dampening vibration of a resonating instrument such as a cymbal, cow bell, wood block or the like, in a controlled manner. A vibration dampener is mounted adjacent the resonating instrument to engages the resonating instrument at a plurality of points simultaneously to absorb and deaden vibration. According to a preferred embodiment, a cymbal damping apparatus is mounted onto a structure resembling a drummer's hi-hat cymbal stand and substitutes a lower damping member in place of what, for a hi-hat, would customarily be the bottom cymbal. The foot actuated cymbal damping apparatus dampens or deadens the cymbal's ring or vibration via application of a padded damping surface to the peripheral edge of the cymbal, which then immediately absorbs and dampens the vibrations and sound of the cymbal.