instantly silence notifications/alarms VX Samsung Galaxy Nexus

[steelersrule99]

Just like from the main screen one can silence a call without having to get past your own screen lock to do so, is there a way to super quickly silence or reduce volume on the notifications or alarms that start blaring from your Galaxy Nexus always at the wrong times. Is there a way built into the phone (i.e. hold the on button and volume button simultaneously ) or an app cause it takes way way too long to get past the screen lock, open the app I downloaded inside the phone to silence the notification/alarm. Thank!!! (p.s. I did search the forums for this but didn't come across it.)