I wanted to try a small experiment; I recently got a Furstein night & day with factory silent technology, and I try to use headphones as little as possible because, obviously, they don't fully satisfy me, especially in terms of sound.
So, I was thinking of building myself a mute (I will buy a felt cloth for mutes and place it with a small wooden rod, at the appropriate size), so as to at least not disturb my family members when I am at home, without using headphones.
In your opinion, is it worth it? Is it better to have silent technology or a mute? In terms of mechanics and key response, which do you prefer, given that I can have both?
Don't take me the wrong way... but I am personally against using a mute. I always say that the mute does not protect the ears of the neighbors and ruins the touch of the pianists. At most, the silent mode does not alter the listening experience of what we create and does not betray expectations. What is the point, instead, of not being able to hear what one is doing? A "falsification" of the touch is guaranteed. That's what I think. Bye
Don't take me for a contrarian... but I am personally against the mute. I always say that the mute does not protect the ears of the neighbors and ruins the touch of the pianists. At most, the silent [system] does not alter the listening experience of what we produce and does not betray expectations. What is the point, instead, of not being able to hear what one is doing? A "falsifying" of the touch is guaranteed. This is my thought. Bye
i completely agree, but since I play at decent hours, the neighbors don't cause problems... my concern was directed towards my poor university-student sister who, when it happens to share those scholarly afternoons, I would like to spare her a little bit....I suggested the mute because sincerely the false sound of the silent [system] is almost unlistenable (it's a low-end night&day) even if quite reliable in terms of response; whereas the sound of the mute, even if it comes at the expense of the touch, is certainly more pleasant to my ear, so having it would be a surplus to use on rare occasions... entering more into the technical detail, how far does the mute cloth usually stay from the strings? since I will eventually have to build it with a manually movable rod.
The mute must be far enough from the strings to have that elasticity of return to its position. You can build it with a cord mounted on two small arms screwed into the inner sides of the instrument. The mechanism needs a stop so that it doesn't descend when you don't want it to. A small movable wooden pin near one of the side arms will serve the purpose. Don't use it too much!!!!!
excuse me pianoexpert, could you tell me where I can purchase it online? I am only talking about the felt mute cloth, I will take care of the structure myself
What if, instead of felt, I used the cloth used to cover the keyboard since it is more readily available? It is usually satin, so it should probably hinder the hammer rebound less, or am I wrong? Even if it absorbs a bit less in terms of sound, it doesn't matter
Personally, I am fed up with replacing the mute every 4/5 months. Today I use a Rosler keyboard cover for the highs that works divinely.
I don't care about the timbre; I use it when I really have to practice boring passages or if I want to rest my hands on the piano without making a scene.
For the lows, you either use a double layer or use the original mute. (generally, they wear out less).
You can also use the Yamaha one (the classic red keyboard cover).
Defies the centuries.
I take it for granted that when practicing with a mute, one doesn't give much weight to issues like touch, dynamics, timbre, and other things.
