Yes-don’t get used to the muted sound-! Bravo Jason!

🤣🤣🤣 That intro song and video!!! This was a great reminder to practice with my practice mute more often.

I LOVED this video, for several reasons: 1) I've never used a mute on my bass, so it was interesting to hear the difference the descriptions you gave. 2) I can relate to the "enjoyment" of the unmuted sound, particularly the open strings. Where I was living a few years ago, I loved the way my A string resonated throughout the room I was in. 3) I started learning to play trombone a month ago, and because I'm in a house with other people, I purchased a practice mute which I had been using almost right from the beginning, and got used to the sound. I took my first lesson this past weekend, and was told I didn't need a mute, so when I started playing in that little room at the music store, I was almost startled by the volume of the instrument (and I thought it sounded great and, for the most part, to the instructor, too!). It reminded me of the time I was having work done on an old Chevrolet I was driving, and when I was asked to move the car (not realizing the muffler had been taken off!), the unmuffled sound of its V-8 engine caught me by surprise.

It's a lot nicer to play without that giant rubber, for sure... but at least it allows me to play. The problem with the bass is that it's in contact with the floor. With or without the mute, the vibrations sometimes make the whole building tremble. What seems to help, in addition to the mute, is a little platform in "sandwich" form: wood, foam, wood. This seems to isolate the bass better from the floor, thus stopping the low-frequency vibrations from being felt/heard all over the place. I guess more experimenting with materials for the platform could yield even better results. To avoid having to retract the end pin, a bigger platform that the player can also stand on would be useful. That way the endpin can stay as it is. Stuffing the soundholes with whatever is available, from foam to old (preferably clean) socks is also an idea. I used to play a Yamaha Silent Bass for practising (without any amplification or headphones), but you really need to get used to having the sound come from your left hand fingers rather than from the bow. It's very unsettling in the beginning. Quite disorienting. So i gave up on that idea. Anyhow, i always try to find a place where i can make lots of sound from time to time. Playing with the mute only, weakens your muscles and destroys your idea of "good sound". I have a place i can use on weekends, and it always takes me at least half an hour before i get used again to the natural sound of the bass...

By the way, for the five-stringers i just cut the mute in two. This has the added advantage that i can use only half a mute, and i can place it on the treble side or on the bass side of the bridge. I also cut it assymetrically so that i have one half slightly heavier than the other. More possibilities :-)

Great subject for a video, Jason. We spoke about this and I also use the hotel mute often. I find that I can really work on consistency and I notice an improvement in my legato. Also, it can really help focus your stroke for fast passages. Great for Mozart and Mendelssohn.

I love these kinds of videos. This is my favorite channel of double bass. I am a double bass player from Mexico and although I have been playing for some years now, I feel that I am just entering the world of double bass. Now all I need is a professional bass made of real wood XD

Spot on!

Thanks Jason Great video! I use an old ebony mute, quite heavy: works well for practising pizz too.

I love mine! It's so useful when I want to practice later at night. What I don't love is the sound I get, but that's a sacrifice I'll make.

This was really a godsend, thank you Jason! How effect are these for pizz?

Great video but I’m curious about the pros and cons for pizzicato players especially for heavier playing like trad jazz, swing, country/rockabilly because I’m sure that annoys the hell out of my neighbours

I know it doesn't do much in terms of making things quieter for the neighbors, but what about practicing while wearing earplugs? Wouldn't it kind of achieve a similar thing but not have quite as big an effect on the tone, dynamics, etc.?

Nice video! Have you had any experience with using the mute in combination with the Wilson-Pickup system? I suspect that the pickups on the bridge might hinder the mute from being properly attached.

Bonjour je ne sais pas si sa sert a quel'que chose mes je veut acheter

i have the same mute. i swear it makes no difference at all lol. i dont know why it just doesnt work

Good lord, that intro... 🤣