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Discussion Forum - Instruments - Thread
Rinatti
William Rinatti

Harmonics con sordino

January 25, 2026, 11:26 PM · Is there a consensus as to whether having mutes on affects how easy it is to produce harmonics? Does it make them harder, easier, or no difference one way or the other?

TIA

Replies (7)

Madrid
Richard Pairaudeau
Edited: January 26, 2026, 1:11 PM · I think a mute makes harmonics more difficult. Perhaps because they are quieter, I become slower to make any necessary adjustment.
VCalegon
Andrew Fryer
Edited: January 26, 2026, 5:40 AM · Ravel's Berceuse Sur le nom de Gabriel Fauré has some mute-related trickinesses, but I can't offhand remember if it's due to harmonics or high-position on the G-string. OTOH, with a mute can one justify G string over D string? Maybe, depending on the mute and its placement, or maybe my edition needs improvement. I'll have a fiddle with it later.
SDGagliano
Stephen Symchych
January 26, 2026, 6:36 AM · Ravel wasn't a violinist, but he knew and cared what instruments could do. (Mind you, I have not played this piece, so it could be the exception to everything else.)
matesic
Steve Jones
January 26, 2026, 8:03 AM · Ravel asks for natural harmonics E6 and A6 on the A string. The presence of a mute doesn't seem to make much difference to the sound or the ease of making it.
Fiddlegal
Nickie McNichols
January 26, 2026, 8:59 AM · My violin teacher just showed me how to make harmonics. I use a concert mute, and it has no effect whatsoever on making the octave harmonics.
(It makes me smile, I think harmonics are so darn cool!)
Rinatti
William Rinatti
January 26, 2026, 12:14 PM · Thanks for all the valuable input, everyone!
VCalegon
Andrew Fryer
January 28, 2026, 1:04 PM · Anyway, just to confirm, my Spector mute has no effect on the ease of producing harmonics, natural or otherwise.