Apartment Dwellers...

[mheintz]

Practice mutes keep neighbors at bay. However, in my opinion, they also change the tension and response of the string. Particularly, with the bow, the notes seem to speak more easily. Before auditions, you will definitely want to play without the mute lest you have a mistaken impression as to your incredibly swift spiccato.

[Wil Davis]

Originally Posted by mheintz

…<snip>
they also change the tension and response of the string
<snip>…

I'm intrigued - please explain to this ignoramus…

- Wil

[mheintz]

Originally Posted by Wil Davis

I'm intrigued - please explain to this ignoramus…

- Wil

The response is just something that I've noticed. Perhaps, because a practice mute decreases resonance, the string vibration decays more quickly, and hence, controlling the string may be easier when using an up-tempo detache or a spiccato. Then again, resonance can ease string response when playing legato. So, there you have it: a non-explanation. I'd be interested if others find the same. In any case, one should always practice without the mute if only occasionally to maximize control of dynamics and resonance.

As a practice note, using the practice mute while practicing double stops is a nice way to improve intonation. Less resonance to muddy the waters, so you can hear the pitch of each note better.

Incidentally, Will, I noticed that you live in Naushua. Irving Steinberg played in the Naushua symphony for some time. I had the pleasure of taking bass classes with him under the tutelage of Todd Seeber in Boston. If he still plays in those parts, give him my greetings. (That is if he still remembers me... It's been 7 or 8 years.)

-Matthew Heintz

[NJL]

Originally Posted by mheintz

I had the pleasure of taking bass classes with him under the tutelage of Todd Seeber in Boston. If he still plays in those parts, give him my greetings.

cool, my teacher studied under Todd Seeber as well.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by HEINTZ57

The response is just something that I've noticed. Perhaps, because a practice mute decreases resonance, the string vibration decays more quickly, and hence, controlling the string may be easier when using an up-tempo detache or a spiccato. Then again, resonance can ease string response when playing legato. So, there you have it: a non-explanation. I'd be interested if others find the same.

Granted that I'm a noob and a hack at the bow, I find that practicing with the mute is alot harder than without for the same reasons. IMO, it seems good for my technique too. To me, it's harder to get a smooth and consistent stroke with the mute because of the decay. I can't get away with strokes that start out bad. OTOH, I can sorta force myself past a bad stroke when I don't use a mute. Once I've practiced a bit with the mute and go back to play without, my arco does sound alot better.