Any tips on practicing quietly in an apartment building using a bow? I use a practice mute that helps to cut down on some resonance, but I still feel its too loud, especially at night - any advice would be appreciated!
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Double Bass indoor apt practice
- Thread starter alanbarnosky
- Start date
I also have the same problem. I have tried to practice with the end pin removed and then put a pillow under the bass instead of the end pin and then also attach the rubber mute on the bridge. But I still feel it is too loud for late night/early morning practice sessions.
So any suggestions are welcome.
So any suggestions are welcome.
Unless there is a police officer at the door and you are being formally charged with disturbing the peace, you should think the neighbours are lucky to have heard a great budding musician in the process of developing their art. (Although you might want to check the noise by-laws of your community to see what the limits and times are.)
Asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission.
Asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission.
When I lived in an apartment, I made a practice mute from 2 pieces of 1/4" steel plate, about 3" x 4". I drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of the 2 plates and would fasten them to the bridge with the bolt going through the heart hole in the center of the bridge. It was really heavy, and I worried for a while it would make the bridge fall, but it never did. It REALLY muted the sound.
When I took the mute off to go to rehearsals and concerts, I was amazed at the big sound I was getting!
When I took the mute off to go to rehearsals and concerts, I was amazed at the big sound I was getting!
How were the two plates connected? Do you weld them together and slide it over the bridge like a traditional mute, or just held together by the bolt going through the center? How tight did you have the bolt - finger tight, or wrench it down?
I wonder if aluminum would do the same thing while being a little bit lighter. It seems like the muting would come from the pressure of the two plates, rather than the material. Thoughts?
The bolt held the two plates together through the hole in the middle of the bridge. I had a wing-nut on the bolt and it was finger-tight.
I think the heaver the mass the more the damping effect.
I think the heaver the mass the more the damping effect.
thanks for the tip. I have tried this today but I didn't notice much damping.
The problem is always the low sub frequencies. These are very hard to temper. That are the frequencies that will annoy your neighbors the most.
@Bill: do you have any pictures of your home made mute?
I need to try that steel mute! I moved back home for the summer and my entire family sleeps REALLY lightly...and during the week my only practice time is usually from about 8pm to midnight
Hi Bill,
thanks for the pic. Wow!..that's what I call a heavy metal mute.
Didn't it damage your bridge?
@Square Bear: today I tried to put a bigger and little bit heavier pillow under the tailpiece and noticed some damping. Although not really much. But all little bits help.
Someone should bring a heavier (rubber) mute on the market.
thanks for the pic. Wow!..that's what I call a heavy metal mute.
Didn't it damage your bridge?
@Square Bear: today I tried to put a bigger and little bit heavier pillow under the tailpiece and noticed some damping. Although not really much. But all little bits help.
Someone should bring a heavier (rubber) mute on the market.
+1 to the cloth between the body and tailpiece. Also, as silly and obvious as it seems, if you stuff something (a pillowcase, whatever) in to the F-holes, that also reduces some volume.
How far down are you putting the pillow? You have to sort of use a little force (carefully) to wedge the pillow in there pretty well. The closer to the endpin end of the tailpiece the better.
Good luck
hmmm.....that mute looks interesting.....might need to do a project this weekend...as I have been looking for something to significantly quiet my bass.....this along with what Eric Swanson was saying in his thread a while back on his old practice mute.....could make for an interesting project. I will get pics If i complete the project...and if it works
Finally, a mute that works!!
In addition to using a heavy rubber practice mute, I took two 1 lb. leg weights and put them around my bridge. They're supposed to velcro around your ankles for extra resistance when running or working out, but they also make great mutes for the bass! They have enough mass to dampen the boomy lows that the rubber mute doesn't and they're covered in soft cloth so they won't scratch or damage the bridge.
My family used to complain if I played quiet jazz pizz after they've gone to bed...now I've been able to work on my Strauss and Beethoven excerpts until 2 or 3AM with no problems! Heldenleben #9, here I come!
In addition to using a heavy rubber practice mute, I took two 1 lb. leg weights and put them around my bridge. They're supposed to velcro around your ankles for extra resistance when running or working out, but they also make great mutes for the bass! They have enough mass to dampen the boomy lows that the rubber mute doesn't and they're covered in soft cloth so they won't scratch or damage the bridge.
My family used to complain if I played quiet jazz pizz after they've gone to bed...now I've been able to work on my Strauss and Beethoven excerpts until 2 or 3AM with no problems! Heldenleben #9, here I come!
That sounds good! just what I also need.
Can you maybe post some pictures? That would help me and probably some other people here a lot.
Can you maybe post some pictures? That would help me and probably some other people here a lot.
Some years ago Gary Karr's website has a steel bolt-through mute that has a nice casting on the top. Very fancy and if I recall correctly, about $90. It's not there any more. I bet he didn't sell many. I like the ankle weight idea.
