Worried that your neighbors will start complaining about the noise you make when playing cello? A standard cello produces anywhere from 82 to 92 decibels. So your practice sessions at home can certainly upset some of your neighbors.
The good news is that there’s a way of dampening this noise. In fact, cello mutes are designed for this specific purpose.
In the following guide, we’ve highlighted reviews of the best mutes on the market. And if this accessory sounds completely foreign, there’s a brief explanation of how it works and the factors you should consider when buying the best cello mute.
Reviews of the Best Cello Mutes
1. MIHEY 2 Pack Cello Mute
If you like to play both cello and bass, then this is the perfect buy. The package includes two types of mutes: one for a cello and the other for a bass instrument.
Better yet, the cello mute is constructed using rubber. This not only makes it lightweight but also enhances its durability.
The MIHEY cello mute is also super easy to install. It’s meant to be mounted directly on the cello strings, between the bridge.
Measuring 1.38 inches by 0.5 inches, this cello mute is mostly recommended for cellists who like to play their instruments in apartments.
Pros
Cons
Do you prefer metal cello mutes to those made of rubber? If you do, you should check out the Artino Cello Practice Mute.
One thing that sets this mute from others is its protective plastic coating. This element is included to keep the mute from getting damaged. So even if you drop it accidentally, you don’t have to worry about it breaking.
That said, the plastic coating reduces the efficacy of the cello mute in sound reduction. While it minimizes volume, the effect is not as strong as it would be if you were using an uncoated mute.
Artino understands that cello mutes are delicate accessories. As a result, they’ve included a tiny storage case to guarantee maximum protection.
Pros
Cons
Are you planning to buy the most affordable cello mute? If you are, you’ll be pleased with the low pricing of the Honbay Rubber and Plastic Cello Mute. It's very budget friendly which gives you an opportunity to buy several units if you like.
As implied in the title, the cello mute is made from a combination of rubber and plastic. These materials work incredibly well together to mute sound.
The cello mute is also one of the easiest to install. The only thing you need to do is to place it on top of the bridge and you’re all set.
Pros
Cons
Generally, cello mutes aren’t fancy-looking accessories. However, the Wiessmeyer and Son brand proves that they can look classy too like this Disc shaped unit.
On that note, this cello mute is available in two fancy colors: sapphire blue and diamond white. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be pleased to know that the mute is compatible with all string types.
The Disc mute is designed with ease of installation in mind. Its flexible body makes it easy to slide on and off the bridge.
Pros
Cons
Don’t want to keep replacing your cello mute every few days? If you don’t, the Ultra Rubber Cello Mute is an excellent choice.
Here, you have the option of buying a pack of one, two or five cello mutes at once. All three options come at very affordable prices.
The accessory is made using a firm rubber material, resulting in one of the quietest cello mute. The best part is that it mutes sound without affecting the tonal quality.
And unlike other cello mutes that are only compatible with one cello size, this one can be installed in a ¾ or 4/4 cello.
Pros
Cons
What Is a Cello Mute?
Have you ever seen the soft practice pedals found on a piano? If you have, then a cello mute works in a fairly similar way.
So just what does a cello mute do? Its primary function is to reduce the instrument’s resonance. As a result, the sound produced is so mellow that you’d think the instrument was being played in the adjacent room.
Cello mutes work by constricting the bridge. This, in turn, significantly decreases the number of vibrations that reach the cello’s soundbox. Think of it as pinching your nose. The harder you pinch your nose, the smaller the amount of air that you’re able to breath in and out.
That said, there are two main varieties of cello mutes: concert and practice. A concert mute reduces sound by about 20% whereas a practice mute reduces by up to 80%.
How to Choose the Right Cello Mute
If you’ve decided to get yourself a new cello mute, or buy one as a gift for a cellist consider the following points:
Material
Cello mutes are made using a variety of materials. Each of these has its fair share of merits and demerits. Here’s a list of the materials used to make these mutes:
Rubber cello mutes
Preferred by professional and novice cellists alike, rubber mutes are pretty common.
What players like about this material is that it doesn’t affect the clarity of sound or tones. Rubber mutes also last long and they’re very affordable. On the flipside, they’re not very powerful so the reduction in sound volume isn’t much.
Metal cello mutes
This is another popular choice of material, and rightly so. A metal cello mute is great for softening the sound of your cello, without causing any damage to the bridge.
Most of these units contain a heavy steel core that cuts back on sound but still lets you hear what’s going on.
Leather cello mutes
Here, you’ll have two types of leather mutes to pick from: half- or fully-muted.
The fully-muted unit is positioned directly on the bridge, causing a significant reduction in sound volume. Conversely, a half-muted unit is positioned right up against the bridge, minimizing the sound just slightly.
The one thing that makes leather mutes attractive is that they allow retention of the sound’s warmth and depth.
Ebony cello mutes
If you have a cello bow made of ebony, this cello mute is a great complement. The volume reduction offered by ebony mutes is fairly similar to that of the rubber models.
However, these ebony varieties have a tendency to vibrate while you play. So they end up producing a mild vibration of their own. They’re also not the most durable. So if you don’t store them properly, they can easily get damaged.
Size
Once you’ve decided the material to go for, the next point to consider is size. Cello mutes don’t come in a one-size-fits-all. So you should estimate your cello’s bridge width and figure out whether the mute will fit.
If you’re buying the mute online, be sure to check the specifications provided. Oftentimes, manufacturers state the specific cello sizes that are compatible with a particular mute.
Ease of Use
Another crucial factor to take into consideration is the mute’s ease of use, especially if you’re buying a concert mute. You should be able to install and detach it quickly before and after getting on stage.
Based on this point, cello mutes are further classified into two: sliding and over-the-bridge. Sliding mutes excel in installation since they’re incredibly easy to attach and detach. Unfortunately, they don’t dampen the vibrations by much.
Conversely, over-the-bridge cello mutes dampen vibrations and sound by a whole lot. However, they take time to install and uninstall.
Sound
Though we’re listing this factor last, it’s not any less important.
Remember that each mute will alter the way your musical instrument sounds. However, you should ensure that it doesn’t impact the sound negatively.
So if you’re not pleased with the end result, consider returning the mute and buying a different one. Don’t be content with a low-quality mute just because it achieves the bare minimum of reducing sound.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy a cello mute, there are a couple of points you should consider. These include the material used in its construction, ease of use, sound and compatibility with different cellos.
In our opinion, the best cello mute is the MIHEY 2 Pack unit. The package includes a mute for cello and bass. More importantly, the mute is made of rubber, providing decent muting capabilities. The 2-pack mute is very easy to install and comes at a fair price.
