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Hi guys,
I’ve been looking into learning the violin for a very long time now and now’s the time. I found this website a few weeks ago and I have to say it’s brilliant. I need to buy a violin and I could use some advice so I thought I’d drop a line.
My first choice would me to buy and a “normal” acoustic violin but I live in an apartment and I wouldn’t want noise to become an issue. From what I could gather, a metal practice mute brings the sound levels down quite considerably but how does it compare with an electric violin with headphones (sound level wise)?
Any advice on this would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Fred
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What I like about an acoustic violin is that you can lug it around anywhere without any equipment. Using the big mute really does cut the sound down considerably. I've practiced in hotels after midnight and never received any complaints but to be sure I would recommend that you find a violin dealer and have them play a fiddle with a big practice mute for you to hear the difference. Then tell them that you need more time to think. Don't rush into buying anything unless you really can't resist. There are lot's of great deals out there.
Electric has it's advantages if you want to play with wild effects and such. Personally I don't think they are much quieter without a PA than a violin with a big heavy practice mute. There are differences in opinions about which is better. The big heavy metal mute or the big heavy rubber one. One thing for sure is that you run less risk to damage the bridge with the rubber one.
Good luck 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hi welcome to the forum~ In my opinion I think the electric violin would be better since you live in an apartment. But I still think the acoustic violin produce nicer melody than electric violin. Hahah I don't think I helped but this is just my opinion I'm sure the rest of them can help you decide. 
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I have an electric and a acoustic (rubber mute) violin. sound level wise they're pretty similar. acoustic is better for playing anywhere on the go and sounds more violin-y. electric requires more set up but can have a wide range of effects. it all depends on what other purposes you want to use your violin for. Gd luck!
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Good question!
That why i have both.
I DON'T know (shame on me) how sounds an acoustic violin with mute (our local stores don't have them and i don't want to order it from i-net, without a chance to try it). So i just want to say that your choice depends of what music you want to play! Almost every thing that you would like to work on can be done on e-violin or a-violin as well. Unless you practicing crescendo - diminuendo. When i practiced it on my e-violin first and then took acoustic one i was very surprised. Acoustic IMO shows you more details of your playing. So you can understand what you doing wrong much faster and fix it. I'm talking only about my own conclusions.
So take someone who plays violin to the music store and listen.
But if you want to play Black Metal - by electric.. definitely!
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Thanks guys, that’s very useful information!
I’m not too much into effects and I much prefer the sound of acoustic violins so I don’t think the decision will be too hard if electric violins are not much quieter. They seem more practical too and better to learn with... acoustic it is then!
Thanks!
Honorary advisor
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No problem. Glad we could help you come to a conclusion. Now you just have to choose between a rubber or metal mute 
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I'm to the point that, now that it's warm enough, I'm thinking of sneaking into the park to play at night once everyone has gone home. I haven't been home from work early enough to practice (even muted or with silent electric) for about a month now.
I have enough complaints from one of my neighbors about my dog (I suspect at least... he's the only one that seems to really dislike him for some reason) that I really don't need to add fuel to the fire.
Does anyone else have a very limited timeframe where you can practice? How do you get around this?
Thanks,
Scott
Honorary tenured advisor
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Thefrood said
I'm to the point that, now that it's warm enough, I'm thinking of sneaking into the park to play at night once everyone has gone home.
That sounds sooooo cooool....Ill be listening from the bushes
I have enough complaints from one of my neighbors about my dog... I really don't need to add fuel to the fire.
Id worry more about keeping your dog quiet than keeping your violin muted
Does anyone else have a very limited timeframe where you can practice?
My time is not limited -- but if it were I would not be skitish about bringing my fiddle to work. Id go play in my car if I couldnt find a remote picknic table.
Good luck, and look at it this way....aren't you glad that you want to play more rather than feeling like you've had enough?
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Thefrood said
I'm to the point that, now that it's warm enough, I'm thinking of sneaking into the park to play at night once everyone has gone home. I haven't been home from work early enough to practice (even muted or with silent electric) for about a month now.
LOL! I was in the same shoes! Practiced outside for a while. If there is a suitable place why not? =)
I have enough complaints from one of my neighbors about my dog (I suspect at least... he's the only one that seems to really dislike him for some reason) that I really don't need to add fuel to the fire.
Oh those neighbours...
I use to play only in a fixed timeline: ~11 -> ~ 20 with practice mute on (when i didn't have one - i played mostly on EV at home). Our neighbours above have a little child. If i work during this "practice time"- i don't practice. Because even EV sounds loud in our appartment. I'm starting to think about sound isolation in my room LOL!
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Naska, you'd be amazed how easy it is to build a 4'x4' cubicle to practice in, lined with convoluted foam or egg cartons; and it cuts down the sound that escapes by about 80%.
Hey, I'm dying to see more "rope jumping" vids crazy girl; you can't believe how many people I've told about that! 
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ftufc said
Naska, you'd be amazed how easy it is to build a 4'x4' cubicle to practice in, lined with convoluted foam or egg cartons; and it cuts down the sound that escapes by about 80%.
Haha! My room can accommodate a cubicle approximately 1.5x2m =). Not really comfortable. Maybe i should place those egg cartons on the walls of me room? Nice idea=)
Hey, I'm dying to see more "rope jumping" vids crazy girl; you can't believe how many people I've told about that!
It's a quite rare entertainment in our area (once in a month or 2). But i'll make sure to record my next jump and send You a link. =) 
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egg cartons actually work Naska; you'll just need to eat a crap-load of eggs, lol.
yes PLEASE camcord your next adventure so we can enjoy it, it really is the coolest thing! I wouldn't do it [unless I had to of course] but my wife would do it in a heartbeat, lmao. Just be careful, check your harness, and make sure the ropes NOT too long 
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Hey, that is a great idea. Next time you jump bring a camera with you on the way down. Maybe strap it to your helmet. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Haha! I don't think i'll be allowed to stick it to the helmet unless i could find my own.. if i just strap it it'll definitelly fall off... =) Nice idea though, i'll try to figure out how to do this =) XD Thanks =) !!
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That settles it then. Buy a helmet 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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If I can add one more thing about electric verses acoustic. The electric is heavier and it doesn't sound right without effects. In my opinion buy an acoustic first then if you want to an electric or a silent.
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Very good point Kevin.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Yes, good choice about an acoustic violin I think... (laughing about that vid with Mad Wed jumping) I still have aches and pains from a huge jump I did last summer on a bike and if I wasn't wearing a helmet I don't think I would be around today.
I have an e-violin that I would be happy to just give away to someone.
Practicing in parks is fun.
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myguitarnow said
Yes, good choice about an acoustic violin I think... (laughing about that vid with Mad Wed jumping) I still have aches and pains from a huge jump I did last summer on a bike and if I wasn't wearing a helmet I don't think I would be around today.
Waaa! Don't scare me, MGN! Wait.. I wear a helmet, so i hopefully be fine XD.
I have an e-violin that I would be happy to just give away to someone.
Yep! me too. But maybe i should rather burn mine. I don't know...
Practicing in parks is fun.
And wet-foggy in our places... Especially in evenings. Poor my bow 
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