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I want to practice using lots of repetition, scales, notes, pieces etc. but am conscious of the fact that not everyone in the house (or the street for that matter) might be so keen to hear my monotonous practice, (especially as it currently sounds so awful).
I bought a metal mute that clips onto the bridge (I think it's sometimes called a "hotel mute") which cuts the sound down by quite a margin, so my question is, will using this mute be detrimental to my practice, or will the fact that I can continue to practice for so much longer be of greater benefit?
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
I don't see it having any bad effects on your playing only good. Myself, I like to drive my family crazy.
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haha, good one. I like that approach, and with spring/summer just around the corner, the windows will soon be open, so I can give my neighbours the full ear bleed!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Thanks Barry, I'll keep the mute off during daylight hours (which at the moment is probably only 4/5 hours per day)
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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It won't hurt you unless you always practice with the practice mute. You need to know where you limits are. You learn more about sound production and quality with a practice mute. Also, your sound will appear to be extremely harsh when removing the mute.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks all, I try and do at least a half hour without the mute, exercises, scales, tunes that i am familiar with etc., but I reckon that's enough to subject the neighbours to, so new pieces and scales I bung the mute on.
Should the mute metal be clipped so that it's kept clear of the strings?
Ps. The cat lives!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Terry said
I want to practice using lots of repetition, scales, notes, pieces etc.
For those purposes i've ordered the heavy rubber mute.. I'll use it for excercics, and learning pieces...but still planning to PLAY those pieces (when learned enough) without a mute =)!! 
Glad that the CAT is alive =3 =) !!!
I almost started a new thread on this particular issue. I currently live in an apartment complex, and live in the second floor, meaning I have people living above me and below me. So far, I have not had any complaints, but I have to admit, I have not been playing as loud as I wish I could, always keeping in mind the neighbors. I really have not looked online for a mute, but may consider buying one.
I also thought about going in one of the walking closets, maybe thinking that it would isolate the sound a little more, or the cloth would absorb some of the sound...
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For me..I have to be careful with my mute. I sound much better with the mute on... ha ha.. kind of scary.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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The big thick practice mutes are great for that SirRyu. Although the feeling of playing is worse. Rugs do a good job of dampening sound too.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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This morning my ULTRA large rubber mute is off.
I sometimes use two cloths line pins clipped on the bridge, they seem as good or even better.
My first mute, a wood one with three fingers that sat on the bridge, the fit was bad and it cost more than the ULTRA, and did not seem to mute as well as a single cloths pin.
Why do I use the mute, I live in my wifes house and "mama don't allow no fiddlin here" is the theme, so heavy mute in the house when she is home.
Today she is out, so the cats outside are hiding, no mute this morning, Fiddle full bow practice.
Mr Holstein, how do you use a rug to mute the violin?
It ain't gonna learn to play itself.
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I meant that rugs on the floor and if you are fanatical even walls will dampen the sound for the neighbors but just a little. Mainly, and simplistically on the floors.
Great question. Sorry about not being clear. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Greetings, all. Newly registered here at Fiddlerman.com. I saw this topic and thought I would share a link I found a while back.
Here is a how-to guide on building some very cheap acoustic panels that should help absorb sound if you're concerned about disturbing the peace.
http://acousticsfreq.com/blog/?p=62
Now, I'm no acoustics expert, but from what I've read, I think it's typically beneficial (say, if you're recording or performing) to have a little "ring" with orchestral instruments. If you're using amplified equipment that produces an undesirable ring, then that's when these acoustic panels come in.
Should be great for "insulating" your practice room from disturbing others, however -- I just thought I should mention the potential consequences as well.
Hope this helps!
I had a picture in my head of a violin covered in orange shag carpet
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To insulate and get rid of undesired echo/bad acoustics:
Cork. A 1/4" layer of cork on the walls is the best way to go about it. But hanging plates of 1" thick cork from the roof is a very good compromise.. They do that in about every major concert hall. Also having "hardwood floor" made from cork is awesome. I go to a friend of mine to record stuff. And he has a corkroom.
But if your sole objective is to make the acoustic in the room neutral. As I said. String up 1" thick plates of cork from the roof. They should be vertical. And rectangular.
"Art, as far as it is able, follows nature, as a pupil imitates his master; thus your art must be, as it were, God's grandchild."
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Kevin, should the shag pile run along the instrument or across it for best results?
Does it have to be orange? I have a bit of burgundy left over.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Orange is preferred but burgundy will work in a pinch.
Although it should be hot glued to the bottom of the violin for best results.
From the 1970's works best !!!
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hahahaha, no glue, just blu-tac!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
I went ahead and ordered me a $6.00 rubber mute from Amazon, we will see how it turns out. I have been waking up early in the mornings (6:00am) to get some extra practice, and today I did get what seemed to be a broom knocking on the ceiling/my floor...(they should thank me for being their alarm clock).
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