Double Bass Dreaded Arco Practice:/

[Sunshine34]

Good evening everyone im brand new here

I have quite a problem when it comes to practicing my arco style of playing.

I live in a small single story house with cardboard walls. Everytime a try to practice my arco playing i get complaints from everyone because its not the quietest of instruments:/.
Any way to quiet it down? ive looked at mutes but i really dont have the budget to buy one right now.

any home "remedies" you guys use?

 

[David Potts]

Could you try to fashion a heavy practice mute out of sheet lead from your local hardware shop. Or buy a G clamp. Anything with enough weight to mute the sound.

Also negotiate a time with your other occupants when it will not annoy them, eg in the morning when they are showering, eating or getting ready for the day. This should be easier than the evening when they are watching television, studying,relaxing?

Best wishes....

DP

 

[Les Fret]

Practice mutes are very inexpensive. Invalid Link Removed
But if you have cardboard walls you may need a heavier mute.

Does someone have an idea on how to make that practice mute heavier? Maybe attach something on top or so?

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Meh... mutes don't really help. The lows still remain. If you're lucky, an EUB might not generate enough sound to bother others, but for me, it still does.

My solutions:
Expensive: buy a house in the countryside.
Less expensive: Buy a $4K Whisper room and put in a room in your house.
Cheapest: rent a rehearal space and go there often.

In the meantime, I pretty much gave up arco cuz I can't get enough practice in.

 

[carl h.]

Mute, and take it outside.

 

[Les Fret]

Meh... mutes don't really help. The lows still remain.

That is true for the normal practice mute. But my teacher made a really heavy mute from some wood block and that really dampens the sound a lot.
That is why I thought about attaching something heavier to the normal practice mute. But I am not sure how to do it yet.

 

[damonsmith]

I live upstairs, I use my ebony mute for general practice. I would also suggest practicing in smaller bursts. If you are just doing a 30min here or there at reasonable time it isn't going to be louder than someone else listening to music, having a phone conversation or watching annoying TV.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

The other problem with mutes is that they also dampen the feel of the bow. It makes for easier playing but take the mute off and it seems palpably harder. Maybe because there's more overtones to go around or something like that. Personally, I'm in the market for a used Whisper room and I'd think it'll be worth the $$$.

 

[damonsmith]

The other problem with mutes is that they also dampen the feel of the bow. It makes for easier playing but take the mute off and it seems palpably harder. Maybe because there's more overtones to go around or something like that. Personally, I'm in the market for a used Whisper room and I'd think it'll be worth the $$$.

An ebony mute gives you a more "real" playing experience. I often use to practice even when I don't have to.

 

[Les Fret]

Yes, but an ebony mute only dampens very very little. I have one too and never use it.

 

[Ben Mitchell]

Mute, and take it outside.

Good joke, its 105 and humid here in Texas. I wouldnt even think about taking my bass outside for that long, especially because its carved.

 

[damonsmith]

Yes, but an ebony mute only dampens very very little. I have one too and never use it.

I don't know how you are using it, but it cuts my sound in half. The bottom line is you can practice the bass no louder than other household sounds like phone and tv. Just don't over do it.

 

[David Potts]

You could also try rolling up a towel, or some cloth or clothing, and wedge it between the tailpiece and belly, to add to the effect of a mute. But not too tightly that would risk doing damage.

DP

 

[Anonymatt]

I don't play arco past 9pm, but I practice for about an hour a day during the afternoons. Trust me, sometimes it sounds like I'm skinning cats alive.
I'm pretty sure half the block can hear me. I'm in Brooklyn, so there's plenty of other noises to put up with. I have no idea what the neighbors think.

My point is: maybe you're within your rights to play, unmuted, for a little while during daytime hours. I can understand being self-conscious. I probably wouldn't practice singing at full volume in my apartment. And if your neighbors are being intimidating, whatever, keep the peace. But if they're not calling the cops, just go for it. When you see them in person, just apologize. Be up front about how practicing the bass is something you really want to do and that you get enjoyment from it. I know that walls can be thin. Sometimes I hear my neighbors fight viciously at 7 in the morning. About politics! It's hilarious. Heck, I think practicing an instrument where people can hear it is a good influence on the kids in the hood. They get an idea that people would really do something every day for their benefit.