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Question: Violin mutes for beginners!?
I want to learn violin, but living in a flat people I can't just play it - so people have suggested I use a mute!. Will this work for a beginner!?
Otherwise ill have to put off learning it for a few years !. !. !?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Yes, that will work!. When I first started teaching myself to play fiddle, I was temporarily living back at home with my parents, so I practiced with a mute whenever anyone else was in the house!. But I also took every opportunity to practice without a mute whenever I had the house to myself, so that I could get used to the full, unmuted sound of the violin and work on getting a good tone!.

Nowadays I live in an apartment, so I still practice regularly with a mute in the evenings, so as not to disturb my neighbors, especially if I practice after 9 or 10 pm!. But if I'm practicing on weekend afternoons when my neighbors are likely to be out, I'll play without the mute!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Practice mutes allow you to play almost silently, but should not be used all the time!. You need to develop your tone quality etc!.
A heavy practice mute is what I used in a dorm room practicing late at night!.
Here is an example
http://cgi!.ebay!.com/CHROME-VIOLIN-PRACTI!.!.!.
You can most likely find them at the local music store, or they can order one!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It has nothing to do with being a beginner, but you should probably get a heavy practice mute!. Far right in this photo:

http://beststudentviolins!.com/terms!.html!.!.!.

Now, this is not the mute referred to in orchestral music where it says "con sordino" (i!.e!., "with mute")!. The heavy practice is meant specifically to dampen the tone when you're practicing, so you don't disturb your neighbors!.

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While you're waiting for your mute to arrive, just use a wooden clothespin on the bridge!.Www@QuestionHome@Com