A cello mute is not something you’ll need frequently, but when you do need one, you want to make sure you have it! A mute is more frequently used in chamber ensemble or orchestra music but also occasionally called for in solo pieces. We’re going to break down what a mute actually is and then show you a few different types below.
What is a mute? Contrary to the name, a mute does not completely silence your cello. A mute simply dampens the sound by limiting the vibrations of the cello. There are essentially two types of mutes: a mute you would use in performance, which are just called mutes, and practice mutes. A practice mute is much bulkier and is exactly what it sounds like — you use it during practice when you’re trying to be considerate of your neighbors and not be too loud!
How does a mute work? Mutes can be made of rubber, wood, or metal, but regardless of the material, they all essentially do the same thing: clip over the bridge to dampen its vibrations. The way they clamp on can be different depending on the type you get.
When do we use a mute? If the music doesn’t call for a mute, then you don’t use one. In other words, it’s not something we use just for fun in a piece — only if it’s called for by the composer. How do you know if you need it? The marking “con sordino” means “with mute.” When you see those words you put on the mute. You leave the mute on until you see the marking “senza sordino” meaning “without mute.” When you’re not using your mute, just keep it in your case so you’ll have it for the next time you see that “con sordino” marking.
How do you get the mute on? This graphic will hopefully explain it to you. We’ve used the most complicated type to explain. The ones that don’t attach to the strings first, like the practice mute or the wooden ones, simply clamp down on top of the bridge.
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Now let’s take a look at a few different mutes:
Tourte Rubber Mute – This is the most common type of mute you’ll see in an orchestra cello section. The two holes go over your D and G strings. This mute also comes as a “One-Hole” mute, where it only attaches to one string. We like these mutes because they do the job well and they stay attached to the cello. If you’re quickly removing your mute you don’t have to worry about getting it back on the stand, you just flip it off the bridge. (See the graphic above for how to attach it.)
Wood Mute – If you would prefer a non-rubber mute, you could look for something like this. Wood mutes have a bit of a warmer sound than the rubber mutes. It does not stay attached to your cello, but simply slides down onto the bridge. For this reason, you have to be a bit more careful when removing it in a rush.
Practice Mute – There are both metal and rubber practice mutes, but we always find the rubber ones to be good enough. Remember, a mute will not silence your cello, and even though practice mutes will dampen your sound more than a normal mute, you can still clearly hear your cello. Your neighbors may still hear you, just not as clearly as they would without the practice mute.
