BronzeWailer
1590 posts
Jan 27, 2015
12:44 PM
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BronzeWailer's YouTube
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boris_plotnikov
1033 posts
Jan 27, 2015
1:18 PM
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1) If you still don't get a nice custom harmonica with overblow setup, it will allow you to place twice quieter
2) Get any cloth: t-shirt, gloves, does't matter and cup it with harmonica, also close extra holes.
3) Don't use it as the only practice. It's much more usefull to practice bends and overbends really quiet instead of playing clean tones and chugging.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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shakeylee
64 posts
Jan 27, 2015
2:05 PM
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there was recently a thread about a harmonica mute that was sort of like a beer cozy.
when i had to be quiet at a place i lived ,i would just play into a pillow. worked ok.
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Harmlessonica
39 posts
Jan 27, 2015
4:18 PM
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I normally kill my sound by playing really badly...
I've never been too keen on the towel muffling principle - it will work to an extent, but you'll get a build up of moisture pretty quick.
I have practised under a duvet occasionally in an attempt to create a soundproof chamber, still allowing for hand wah-wah effects. Works okay for a while till it gets too hot or the wife becomes suspicious (!).
Nowadays, I'm using low tuned harps anyway which are naturally quieter.
But I'm sure there must be a better solution out there...
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Martin
770 posts
Jan 27, 2015
4:38 PM
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Playing un-dampened is unfortunately out of the question in my quarters -- even at daytime and even at low volume.
And the bothersome thing is I really need to be able to play in my normal fashion, since it´s to some extent a question of recording.
So I´ll have to contineu looking for some kind of material -- but that beer koozie that Shakylee mentions could be an interesting thing to check out, in so far as we have those gadgets here in Sweden.
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STME58
1162 posts
Jan 27, 2015
4:46 PM
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Not that this will help for your situation but Yamaha makes a device called "Silent Brass" which is a muffler for horns that dampens the sound going into the air to near nothing but does not restrict the airflow and allows you to hear your full sound in a set of headphones.
I wonder if this could be adapted to harmonica.
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Harmlessonica
41 posts
Jan 28, 2015
2:42 AM
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Martin - if you're not able to play at low volumes during the daytime, you have more problems than a sound muffler can solve. Are you even allowed to watch TV?
IMO you need to invest some time, effort and maybe some money on some kind of makeshift soundproof booth. For example, a freestanding wardrobe in the middle of a room might be just as effective in blocking sound externally - but you will be able to play and record, albeit in a cramped space.
Of course the practicality of this all depends on your own circumstances.
Good luck.
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SteveTech
22 posts
Jan 28, 2015
5:45 AM
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Stme58. I own that silent brass for trumpet. It's amazing...amazing. Something like that would be the ticket.
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Martin
771 posts
Jan 28, 2015
5:52 AM
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@STME58: Thank you, that´s concrete advice. And it looks like they work just fine -- but, as you say, adapting them to harmonica could be a tricky thing.
@Harmlessonica: This is a solid late 19th century building with good walls, but like so many of them they were divided into smaller units in the 60´s and 70´s. Then those new walls were built according to a new standard: much lower. At nights I can hear my neighbour snore; and harmonica has quite a persistent sound.
Those freestanding wardrobes would be ideal, if it weren´t for the fact that I also live in really cramped circumstances. No end to my plight!
(But I live exactly where I want in this city, and that comes with a price ...)
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ridge
588 posts
Jan 28, 2015
6:21 AM
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This is what you're looking for: Turbo Harp Sottovoce
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Ridge's YouTube
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Harmlessonica
42 posts
Jan 28, 2015
6:38 AM
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I do sympathise with you Martin.
I'm a beginner with little time to practise, and when I first started to play I had no end of complaints from the family - whether due to my lack of expertise or simply the shrill volume coming from my harmonica.
As fate would have it, I ditched the key of C in favour of a Low C, and the complaints stopped. Even when I play poorly, the tone is mellow and the volume is lower (lower than your 50% target I'd say).
To illustrate further, I can play my Low Low F sitting up in bed whilst my wife is asleep next to me - and her snoring is louder. If she starts to waken, I quickly play a lullaby...
Needless to say, my wife does not frequent this forum :) .
Personally, I play on my own for fun, so I can switch to any key of harmonica. You might be restricted in that regard. But playing in any key will still give you that harmonica 'fix'.
Given that you have limited space, I still advocate playing under thick bedding. You could make some kind of tent perhaps.
Also, if you do come up with a solution that works, please share it. Your story deserves a happy ending.
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MindTheGap
519 posts
Jan 28, 2015
6:49 AM
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A while ago nacoran came up with this...
japanese-cardboard-shed
Original Thread: Cardboard Woodshed
No one said if they had tried one! It's a problem though isn't it? If you learn piano these days at least you can get a good silent instrument to practice on. Silent violins, cellos, all that.
harmlessonica - I think harmonica players get enough stick without having to play under a duvet too! :)
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 28, 2015 6:54 AM
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STME58
1164 posts
Jan 28, 2015
12:22 PM
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It'a not a simple box but here is my woodshed.
portable (sort of) practice room
It is in my yard and I can practice trombone or bugle at midnight and not bother anyone!
Of course if you have space for this you don't have a neighbor noise problem.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jan 28, 2015 12:25 PM
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orphan
408 posts
Jan 28, 2015
1:40 PM
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That is CRAZY!!! You got some woodshed there STME58. Now that is something you just don't see very often. Good job.
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nowmon
7 posts
Jan 30, 2015
4:47 AM
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Isn`t your hands the best mute,alot of times I play with a closed grip on the harp and play softly and it`s low.also,when your playing with a tight hold with a little lift of a finger or a slight wa! you`ve got the best mute too toot...
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TBird
110 posts
Jan 31, 2015
1:16 PM
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I hear ya Martin! It sounds like we live in very similar circumstances. Ever since I saw that Cardboard Woodshed thread a while back, I often find myself pondering if I might be able to build something like it for a fraction of the cost. But even if I could, like you, I wouldn't know where to put it in my tiny abode!
T.Bird
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
Last Edited by TBird on Jan 31, 2015 1:17 PM
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Philosofy
652 posts
Jan 31, 2015
1:33 PM
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The Huffler might work for you. Its a neoprene fabric tube with a soft yellow ball stuck in one end. The other end goes around your harp. You could remove the yellow ball and replace it with a bullet mic. As long as your mic goes into a sound board then your headphones, you should be fine.
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