Easy way to practice at night without upsetting the neighbours

[Darren Bailey]

Just by accident I was standing in front of my open Travellite case and the sound was substantially muffled by the padding. The mandolin sounded horrible, but standing even closer I discovered it made an instant sound dampening device. Perfect when the neighbours (or wife) have had enough.

[Bren]

I have a sound-dampening device that fits (just) under my shirt. The great thing is that it seems to get more effective the more beer I drink.

[tkdboyd]

I have used the excuse of not bothering neighbors, sleeping wife and daughter, to buy an electric mandolin and violin, never would have thought it, but the solid body violin still needs a bridge mute.

[bigskygirl]

Fold a piece of cloth and slip under strings in front of bridge.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I practice on an Epi VIII Mandobird unplugged...

[OldSausage]

I had to buy a house that was detached from my neighbors by at least a dozen yards on each side. Expensive, to be sure, but worth every penny. Now, of course, my wife and kid expect to live there too, dammit.

[mandroid]

drapery and soft wall hangings dampen treble pitches well .. and mandolin is all treble pitches..

Playing into an empty solid desk Music stand works to hear Myself better reflecting,
in a deadened to please the neighbors Room.

but yes like David I now have a half lot between mine my neighbor's houses.

my friend, a concert piano guy, rebuilt his garage with an inner room and a foot of airspace between It and the outside , with 2 doors to also open .. for each door,

He can practice and hammer out, Tchaikovsky , the loud parts , at Midnight ..

[Timbofood]

To hell with the neighbors! My wife goes to bed, I have my whole band in my back room close the inside door, no complaints. Even in summer and playing out on the patio, I get no complaints and my banjo player is LOUD!
Of course the nice thing to do is offer the neighbors a cocktail and have everyone have some fun.

[Meadowview]

[Sweetpea44]

I have an electric that I practice quietly on.

[Randy Smith]

Neither the fiddle or the mandolin has ever been a problem or my neighbor. One of my two cats, who I've had for a few years now, can't stand the fiddle live or recorded. Using one of those heavy mutes helps much of the time, and fortunately that cat likes to go out even in cold weather.

[rubydubyr]

I had to buy a house that was detached from my neighbors by at least a dozen yards on each side. Expensive, to be sure, but worth every penny. Now, of course, my wife and kid expect to live there too, dammit.

lol

[Jackgaryk]

I have a "ELECA" mandolin. you couldn't hear the thing with a stethoscope. great for practice though. it was a gift and I do appreciate it.

[KGreene]

I have a sound-dampening device that fits (just) under my shirt. The great thing is that it seems to get more effective the more beer I drink.

I have that same device!!

[Astro]

If you stayed up playing with your neighbor's wife all night, would your mandolin be upset ?

So why should the reverse be true ?

Turn about fair play I always say.

[nickster60]

If you fold up a dollar bill and thread between the strings it will muffle it pretty well, it works on violins also.

[William Smith]

Hey at least its not shooting off pistols etc.. in the middle of the night, I've been know to do that one!!!!!!!Nothing like the smell of gunpowder in the "morning" or hell at "night"

[zedmando]

I practice on an Epi VIII Mandobird unplugged...

Same here--And if I want to use an amp I use one with headphones.

[Mark Wilson]

I bought a mandobird IV to play unplugged late at night. Just not the same feel and I always ended up playing bends and blues riffs.

I mostly use my right palm to mute when I play late.

[rubydubyr]

When I play late at night, I go out on the patio, turn on the lights, and play as loudly as possible. When I'm feeling especially obnoxious, I also bring my collie out who is somewhat agoraphobic and therefore barks continuously while outside. My neighbors love me for it!

[bigskygirl]

This thread reminds me of the time I played trumpet for the middle school band, mom used to send me out in the back yard to practice.....hmmmm

[rubydubyr]

I'm sure your neighbors loved you and your mom as much as mine adore me!

[jaycat]

I practice on the Williamsburg Bridge. Just me and Sonny Rollins, very mellow.

[zedmando]

I always ended up playing bends and blues riffs.

You say that like it's a bad thing...

[Mark Wilson]

You say that like it's a bad thing...

Not at all. I think the technical term is noodling. If scales and such are 'eat your veggies' then noodling would be some sort of candy.