Mutes for violin and viola

Mutes for violin and viola are the same, but they exist in two thicknesses ("Orchester", heavier, and "Solo", lighter), and in two categories of horn, the all black one ( "schwwarz", black label), or the coloured one in different shades ("faarweg", red label).

The two different thicknesses (i.e. weights) modify the spectrum of harmonics differently, giving two different palettes of muted tone. The lighter model doesn't necessarily mute more than the heavier one: it depends of each individual instrument.

There is no difference in material or musical quality between the line "schwaarz" and "faarweg", only the visual aspect. The black horn (domestic buffalo horn Bubalus bubalis), easier to obtain and to work with, is therefore offered at a more affordable price than clear, transparent or marbled horn, which is more beautiful but much rarer. The clear horn can be from different species of animals, the species for each mute will be specified in the shop.