If you live in an apartment and and do not want to annoy neighbors while practicing, a mute is what you need. Mute is a device that is fitted to an instrument to soften or otherwise alter its tone. This may be an object placed inside the bell of a brass instrument, or on the bridge of an orchestral string instrument.
In addition to reducing the volume of instruments, mutes change their timbre by suppressing certain harmonics associated with each instrument’s characteristic sound.
Mute is a relatively simple string accessories but still come in various size and types, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each one:
Rubber Mute Tourte Style
The Tourte mute is the world’s most popular orchestra mute. This version of that mute sits between the two middle strings of your instrument, and hooks over the top of the bridge, muting the sound slightly during a performance. It does not affect the tuning of your instrument and maintains a warm tonal quality. This mute is perfect for students and professionals alike, for use in chamber music and orchestral performances.
Features:
- Less expensive
- Easy to install
- Less powerful reduction in the volume
Rubber Practice Mute
The rubber practice mute is another inexpensive purchase for those looking to mute their instrument whilst practicing. The rubber practice mute is a five-prong mute, which is placed directly on the bridge. It does not affect the tuning of your instrument and maintains a decent tonal quality. This is perfect for beginners and hobbyists who do not play all hours of the night.
Features:
- Less expensive
- Easy to install
- Less powerful reduction in the volume
Metal Practice Mute:
The metal practice mute is for maximum dampening of the sound of your instrument. It is similar to a rubberpractice mute, however, more care must be taken with these mutes during use. The mute is placed directly on the bridge, with the strings in between the prongs.
Features:
- More expensive
- May damage instrument if not careful
- Maximum deduction of volume
Alpine Professional Slimline
The Alpine Professional Slimline mutes are designed to create the warmest sound possible on your violin and viola during muted performance. The mutes do not rattle during general playing, and they move easily on and off the bridge without any noise. These mutes consistent of a brass vibrating plate, which matches the vibration of your instrument’s bridge. Unlike other mutes which seek to minimise vibration completely, the Alpine Professional Slimline mutes work in harmony with your instrument to maintain its tone.
Features:
- Maximum deduction of volume
- Maintain good tonality
- More expensive
- May damage instrument if not careful
