I need a new violin, and I need it to be quiet. Help?

August 13, 2009 11:17 AM

I'm considering a new violin... but I live in an apartment. And I have no intention of performing for anyone but myself. What's the most reasonable violin to get, and how can I best keep from driving my neighbors insane?

I've played the violin since I was 7, but my two gorgeous concert violins were stolen from me a few years ago. I never replaced them, and I'm really starting to miss them now. It's time to get a new one (or awesome old one. Something like that).

I don't really like to play for other people anymore, so this doesn't need to be an amazing - or amazingly expensive - concert violin. Just something that won't sound like drawing a bow across a tin can. I also need a way to keep the volume down as much as possible (do metal mutes actually work? I never had one). I know it won't be totally silent, but somewhat quieter would be great. I'm open to the possibility of electric, but I have no experience with electrics, so I wouldn't even know where to start.

My budget on this is somewhat flexible, but I'm not looking to spend $1500 on something that nobody but me is going to hear. What do you suggest?

posted by katillathehun to media & arts (13 comments total)

In regards to the neighbors, speak to them in person and tell them you plan on only practicing during these hours and if there is any problem, that they should feel welcome to knock on your door.
posted by spec80 at 11:23 AM on August 13

Practice mutes will make the instrument shockingly quiet, though to be honest it's a little unsatisfying to play that way all the time. A rubber mute might be a bit more fun.

Get thee to a shop that specializes in stringed instruments or look on craigslist. I honestly wouldn't bother with anything new, having heard many a cheap violin in my time.
posted by paanta at 11:26 AM on August 13

Thanks, spec80 - I've already mentioned the possibility to them, but I'd still like to keep the volume down as much as I can anyway. My nearest neighbors are in and out all the time. They aren't likely to complain, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it. ;)
posted by katillathehun at 11:28 AM on August 13

I'm not sure about the prices, but you could look at electric violins. An electric would be pretty quiet used with headphones.
posted by paulg at 11:35 AM on August 13

Check your lease. Sometimes they say something like "no unnecessary noise after --- p.m." or something like that. I'm guessing that as long as you don't play after 9 p.m., people wouldn't have too much of a problem with it.

I've had great luck at both Johnson String Instruments and Paul Wiessmayer violins in Boston. Johnson's has a great rent-to-own program, and they sell all levels of instruments. So does Paul, and he works with you to get exactly the kind of instrument you're looking for.
posted by Melismata at 11:40 AM on August 13

I play double bass... practice mutes are wonderful, people can sleep in the next room and hear nothing.
posted by sundri at 12:27 PM on August 13

My neighbour plays the violin and I love to hear her practice
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:05 PM on August 13 [1 favorite]

I'm also a neighbor that loves hearing those around me playing instruments.. granted they aren't a total beginniner :)
posted by june made him a gemini at 2:06 PM on August 13

Mutes absolutely work. In fact, the heavy metal mute that you're thinking of will be overkill in an apartment - the only person I've known who really needed a metal mute was a guy who used to practice in his paper-walled office during his lunch break.

Here's a page of mutes for you to have a peek at: the thing called an "Ultra Practice Mute" will be plenty to keep the sound at a very low level for apartment playing, and you may be able to get away with even less muting, depending on your building.

Yamaha makes electric violins specifically to work as "practice" violins. Personally, I find them even less satisfying to play than a muted acoustic instrument, but you should definitely try some out yourself. Those run between $600-$1200. Decent electric violins run upwards of the $1500 budget you mentioned, so keep that in mind when deciding what you'd most like to do. The Electric Violin Shop is a good place to have a first (internet-based) look at the range of electric options available to you.

If I were you, I'd try an acoustic+mute option, if only because you'll probably be able to play unmuted every once in a while, right? Head in to a violin shop, and explain to them what you're looking for. Try a few entry-level violins there, and see how you feel playing them. I think you're right to not want to spend a ton on an instrument if you're not sure just how much playing you might do, but if you're used to playing gorgeous, concert-quality instruments, you'll want something more than a starter model.
posted by Hellgirl at 3:12 PM on August 13

It's nice to know that people aren't all violin-hating neighbors! My neighbors might not mind it either... then again, they might. I think they were too nice to say. So, for my own peace of mind, I'm really looking for something a little quieter. Good to know that practice mutes actually do something, sundri and Melismata. Once upon a time, I did have a rubber mute for tone, and I remember that I always preferred the way it sounded anyway... I don't remember if it helped with volume at all.
posted by katillathehun at 3:14 PM on August 13

Thank you, Hellgirl! Those are the sorts of things I'm looking for.
posted by katillathehun at 3:17 PM on August 13

I've tried all of the above. I'm a beginning fiddler but deeply addicted. First I alerted my nearest neighbors about this and got a rough sense of their schedule (so, for instance, I found out that my downstairs neighbor taught a night class two nights a week, so I knew I could let it rip for those two nights a week). I have a rubber mute and a metal mute, but I found that the metal mute in particular made it harder to get a good tone. So I finally broke down and bought a Yamaha electric a year ago. I wouldn't make it my main instrument, but after midnight or before 8 am, it works great. I also really like being able to plug into my iTunes and play on top of songs/tunes, something I find harder to do on a regular violin. My neighbors have all been extremely forgiving, so I would put in a plug for going to them first.
posted by fiery.hogue at 7:07 PM on August 13

Do be warned though, if you're going to get a big metal or plastic practice mute:

REMEMBER TO TAKE IT OFF BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN ITS CASE.

*ahem*

Sorry. I can't tell you how many people I know who have come close to damaging their (very expensive) instruments by leaving the mute on, mindlessly closing the lid of their case, only to hear a *crack* that could cost an arm and a leg to repair, notwithstanding the emotional pain.

Also, another caveat with metal mutes - since it's metal, and the bridge, wood, be careful of how much pressure you place on it to get it into position. It could potentially damage it.
posted by chan.caro at 12:39 PM on August 14