I play an electric guitar. My neighbour complained that I played so bad his mom had to remove her eardevice for hearing. So I upgraded my 50watt amp to a 100w amp, so she could hear it better! He never complained again!
I have been using one of those micro fiber cooling bandanas folded up several times to fit. It's worked as a dampener. I can't do hand vibrato with it, but that's fine. I'll just practice that at a more convenient time.
Thanks for the honest review, my neighbours will have to go on suffering. Other tip is to play very low harmonicas, they are far less intrusive and easier to play softly. Difficult to be very noisy with a low G
Have a Hohner marine band deluxe in low G, and it is very loud. I don‘t dare practicing at home because I‘m ashamed to annoy my neighbors with bad playing. I practiced in the car with a freehand support while driving. But soon gave up completely… Neighbors even hear me playing the electric guitar unplugged.
@@lone-wolf-1 I think you have a G, not a low G, never seen a Marine Band Deluxe in Low keys. If you know where to purchase such a thing I am interested, please let me know.
In this case my recommendation would be to invest in a low F harmonica. Or ears are more sensitive to mid and high frequency. The higher the tuning, the harsher it wil sound. I like to reference to the fletcher and munson curve.
If you have a small dedicated room you can also line the walls with sound-muffling material. I used to hang out with a band that would line the walls with egg cartons.
Well, I just started laughing when you said that in order to play with the gadget you have to play extremely lightly and if you were playing extremely lightly, then you probably wouldn't need a harmonica silencer anyway!! 😅 That really does make sense!! LOL! Thank you Tomlin for sharing!! 💞
I build a little chamber, isolated with 5cm thick acoustic foam plates (50x50cm for 26€). The basic framework consists of 2 wooden cellar shelves (50cm deep, 80cm wide, 175cm high) I put them on the wide side together, covered the sides with wooden boards, and installed door of wooden boards covered with korg plates. It becomes pretty warm inside although I left 35cm free at the bottom all around to breath, so I needed a fan. But it works pretty well. Inside the chamber I measure 60-70db and outside 35-45db. All in all I paid ca. 400€ for it but otherwise I would disturb my neighbors. I work nightshifts and for my part I rely on quiet neighbors. Forced to hear other peoples music is not necessary and shows bad behavior.
I'have one but I agree with you. In the booklet they say that it's because of the silencer, you'll loose a lot of techniques like overblow like you said and I've lost interest really fast because I use my hands a lot. The silencer is design like to one use for firearms. But nice vids and I'm glad to see that it's not only in my head.
So Tom, what I am hearing you say is, "The Suzuki Shinibox Harmonica Silencer" is Fantastic, Incredible, Mind-blowing, Stupendous and I should run out and get one right away..........or something to that affect... Seriously, I love that it is for you to give a fraudulent review of a harmonica product. Spoken like a true lover of Harmonicas. BTW - Love your posts, been a fan for a long time. !
I saw one of these on ebay recently. I didn't buy it, maybe I should have. Did you buy it? Also, are you wearing a Tudor Black Bay? I have a Pelagos, love it.
Great idea and video! I was almost tempted to get the Suzuki silencer for the Manji, but if I wish to practice something really quiet - I use the ProMaster - it can be extremely mellow when cupped. Another very old "patent" is to "put a sock in it" - heavy sock (clean, of course :) ) - will help to mellow the covers with another absorbent layer. For the Chromatic, I've once coated the covers with hobby clay (DAS, I think) - it toned everything down - I'll look for a video. This can of course be done on a diatonic / pocket harp, but better on one that has a lipped comb, where the covers are farther away from the lips and can be coated more with mellowing material. And then there are wooden covers :) Maybe a wool comb? or cardboard? need to experiment :) Cheers!!!
My other personalities wanted to respond as well, so with your permission: P1: The only reason to silence a Harmonica is when it is BADLY played... P2: In the bottom of the ocean, no one will hear you play! P3: To play quietly, just find a very loud environment :) P4: Concrete works well - inside you get a great reverb, outside you hear nothing. Bomb shelters and industrial building staircases work well! P5: Outdoors would be great - you get fresh air to play, practice away from distractions, and bother no one (at least not humans)
play inside a big culvert/chamber complete with hvac in it.I used to practice debating/public speaking on the side of our white water river located at the back of our community,which was perfect!
i have one of these. what i found as a beginner is it badly messed up my embouchure but the fact i was playing a puck when i did go loud may have contributed. the fatter cover plates they use to accommodate it i think was part of the cause with the steeper part of the one plate right where our lips are resting causing it to push my embouchure right off course. when i picked up a full size harp after a couple of weeks with the silencer and the puck i sounded terrible because i wasn't putting enough of the harp in my mouth anymore. thought i'd share it because it's left i thinking they're not really for beginners, better i feel while learning to try and master playing quietly because it's harder to do and more beneficial to us overall, still a useful tool for a beginner if forewarned in my humble. gonna watch the vid now Tomlin lol this is when i find out i haven't told You anything You didn't know 😂. Thanks and have a great one Brother cheers 😊. update - lol seems it's not for advanced players either! i did watch a couple of reviews on here too, i only Wish You'd got one sooner. and i was about to give it another go too, many Thanks for saving i some valuable time Brother.
Well, you have just helped me with my suspicion of the fatter harps... like the new Golden Melody: I noticed that it was fatter and decided that I wasn't going to try it just because of that reason... I actually didn't think of the messing up part of my embouchure though, only thought that it would be more difficult to play as I am a smaller person... Thank you for your comment here Matt... 🤗🙏
@@marybethhempel9101 i may have done You a disservice Sister. with the shinobi whilst both plates are fatter than normal it's one in particular which causes it (can't remember exactly which just now and can't place a hand on it just now either even though i had it earlier on! lol), one of them also has a steeper edge to it and i think those two factors combined is what does it. i Love Seydels, it's the beautiful rich tone i get from the stainless reeds, having a few 1847's which are similarly fatter than a honer and i have no worries on them. the low keys which i am also lucky enough to have a couple have even more space under the plates, probably easily equaling the greater of the two on the shinobi and whilst i surely prefer playing a thunderbird for a low harp i still usually go for the Seydels if that's my mood. i reckon You will quickly become used to them, i did and don't have a particularly large mouth so unless yours is particularly small. so yh i may have done You a disservice Sister i wouldn't write off the new golden melody just on what i said about the shinobi i tried to keep it short so many Thanks for mentioning it so i could fill in the gap about what i feel is the real cause, really is my bad i should say it's the angle of the top/bottom cover that i think mostly does it i may have another quick edit lol. Thank You Sister have a great one and happy harpin'! 😊
No matter how softly you play, the neighbours will still hear it through the walls at 1 in the morning if you live in an appartment. There really is no way until we get a proper midi-harmonica that we can play through head phones.
Nah. Playing lightly creates bad habits. I did that when I lived in Toronto and I was practicing literally all the way I commuted to work and back, mostly back. I was inside the subway or waiting for it, walking trough malls, walking trough crowds and always with my Special 20 in my hands learning to breathe, practicing basic stuff (I was a total newbie then) but in order not to bother people, especially in the subway I played as lightly as possible. Later realized I am not able to do certain articulations as the instrument just needs a bit more powerful airflow. Now when I want to practice I go to a remote place in the park where I won't bother anyone and I play the loud I want to play. Turns out I am not bothering people even when I am not far from them. I actually asked people if I'm loud and they said no. But I just feel more comfy in the park and weather is still nice. But light play won't do it. I feel so bound to the silence when I want to actually let it go.
Totally agree that you need to play with the correct breath force. The majority of beginners play too hard so it is better to advise them to lighten up.
Thanks for making this available to Harp consumers. Hell, just go out to the garage. IF you ain't got no garage, go out to a bar, and hang out, out back. Those people will not care what the hell you are doing.
Lol. Im on my first week... Im good with volume enough for me to listen if im playing a single note or not.. guess i will have to deal with my neighbours in a couple weeks... Maybe months ... 😅😂
This summer, I took my harmonics, to practice to the sea beach. To hear nobody. But do you know, my woman told me, she hears the sound hundred meters away 😳
If the play is reasonably correct, the baby will certainly benefit more from it in the long run than from the noise of a radio, a television, arguing parents, or even constant, absolute silence.
i'm soryy but the best thing you can do, on a budget for a nice and inspirational play at the harmonica, it is a mic, and a portable speaker, not hte best on the market but good ones..when you turn that echo on...yeah, then you feel the music.
so... that thing is a no-go for everyone, even for beginners? I have scrapped the idea to have it as a proper solution for practice in general of course. one needs the hands. but it can maybe be a limiting solution temporarily? I rather play with limited tools than not play at all you know...
Mine too!!! Instantly. I'm demoted to the opposite side of the property come rain or shine. I'm starting to play into a towel now; helps a bit, but those high notes...
🎵 Just starting out on harmonica? Join my FREE Blues Harmonica Foundation Course here 👉 foxly.link/p5ugYk
It's nice to see a honest review
My neighbour complains when I play the Harmonica so I've taken it on board and given up playing in the house. I'm just on my way to buy a drum kit.
Mate, you should get a violin. Your neighbour will definitely love hearing that highbrow music.
😂
😂😂😂😂😂 totally me
Just get a girlfriend or a new one 😂 of course I'm asking you guys to practice harmonica, nothing more.
I play an electric guitar. My neighbour complained that I played so bad his mom had to remove her eardevice for hearing. So I upgraded my 50watt amp to a 100w amp, so she could hear it better! He never complained again!
Thx for your candor Tomlin! An additonal tip is to use a pair of heavy duty soft material work gloves. Helps smother the sound even more.
I have been using one of those micro fiber cooling bandanas folded up several times to fit. It's worked as a dampener. I can't do hand vibrato with it, but that's fine. I'll just practice that at a more convenient time.
Thanks for the honest review, my neighbours will have to go on suffering. Other tip is to play very low harmonicas, they are far less intrusive and easier to play softly. Difficult to be very noisy with a low G
Have a Hohner marine band deluxe in low G, and it is very loud. I don‘t dare practicing at home because I‘m ashamed to annoy my neighbors with bad playing. I practiced in the car with a freehand support while driving. But soon gave up completely… Neighbors even hear me playing the electric guitar unplugged.
@@lone-wolf-1 I think you have a G, not a low G, never seen a Marine Band Deluxe in Low keys. If you know where to purchase such a thing I am interested, please let me know.
@@albertoberto4714 oh, you might be right! Sorry for my ignorance.😌
@@lone-wolf-1 No problem bro.
Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ and turn on notifications to never miss another Harmonica video. 🙂
Its a wird gadget i dont need
In this case my recommendation would be to invest in a low F harmonica. Or ears are more sensitive to mid and high frequency. The higher the tuning, the harsher it wil sound. I like to reference to the fletcher and munson curve.
If you have a small dedicated room you can also line the walls with sound-muffling material. I used to hang out with a band that would line the walls with egg cartons.
Well, I just started laughing when you said that in order to play with the gadget you have to play extremely lightly and if you were playing extremely lightly, then you probably wouldn't need a harmonica silencer anyway!! 😅 That really does make sense!! LOL! Thank you Tomlin for sharing!! 💞
Thanks for an honest assessment.
Tomlin, any chance you would be willing to try the Sotto Voce 2.0 harmonica by Turboharp. Another silenced harp to try out.
Appreciate that you do such honest reviews. Great video.
Thx alot
5:54 what is this technique or song?
Thank you for the review
I build a little chamber, isolated with 5cm thick acoustic foam plates (50x50cm for 26€).
The basic framework consists of 2 wooden cellar shelves (50cm deep, 80cm wide, 175cm high)
I put them on the wide side together, covered the sides with wooden boards, and installed
door of wooden boards covered with korg plates.
It becomes pretty warm inside although I left 35cm free at the bottom all around to breath, so I needed a fan.
But it works pretty well. Inside the chamber I measure 60-70db and outside 35-45db.
All in all I paid ca. 400€ for it but otherwise I would disturb my neighbors. I work nightshifts
and for my part I rely on quiet neighbors. Forced to hear other peoples music is not necessary
and shows bad behavior.
I'have one but I agree with you.
In the booklet they say that it's because of the silencer, you'll loose a lot of techniques like overblow like you said and I've lost interest really fast because I use my hands a lot.
The silencer is design like to one use for firearms.
But nice vids and I'm glad to see that it's not only in my head.
I usually in this situation play into a blanket:)
I have one. Great for practice. But yes, hands, overblow, even good bending is difficult. Its a pitty that only Suzuki harmonica fits.
So Tom, what I am hearing you say is, "The Suzuki Shinibox Harmonica Silencer" is Fantastic, Incredible, Mind-blowing, Stupendous and I should run out
and get one right away..........or something to that affect...
Seriously, I love that it is for you to give a fraudulent review of a harmonica product. Spoken like a true lover of Harmonicas.
BTW - Love your posts, been a fan for a long time. !
I meant to put the word for you to give a fraudulent review..... ( In my post below)
I play when I drive, two of my favorite things .
I saw one of these on ebay recently. I didn't buy it, maybe I should have. Did you buy it?
Also, are you wearing a Tudor Black Bay? I have a Pelagos, love it.
Great idea and video!
I was almost tempted to get the Suzuki silencer for the Manji, but if I wish to practice something really quiet - I use the ProMaster - it can be extremely mellow when cupped.
Another very old "patent" is to "put a sock in it" - heavy sock (clean, of course :) ) - will help to mellow the covers with another absorbent layer.
For the Chromatic, I've once coated the covers with hobby clay (DAS, I think) - it toned everything down - I'll look for a video. This can of course be done on a diatonic / pocket harp, but better on one that has a lipped comb, where the covers are farther away from the lips and can be coated more with mellowing material. And then there are wooden covers :)
Maybe a wool comb? or cardboard? need to experiment :) Cheers!!!
ruclips.net/p/PLx_ftuhJntCVdyBhha3mk05W-u5Z4SU_j
My other personalities wanted to respond as well, so with your permission:
P1: The only reason to silence a Harmonica is when it is BADLY played...
P2: In the bottom of the ocean, no one will hear you play!
P3: To play quietly, just find a very loud environment :)
P4: Concrete works well - inside you get a great reverb, outside you hear nothing. Bomb shelters and industrial building staircases work well!
P5: Outdoors would be great - you get fresh air to play, practice away from distractions, and bother no one (at least not humans)
play inside a big culvert/chamber complete with hvac in it.I used to practice debating/public speaking on the side of our white water river located at the back of our community,which was perfect!
When you teach in the other videos do you use any special amplifying mechanism or attachment that enriches the sound? If YES then what is it please?
i have one of these.
what i found as a beginner is it badly messed up my embouchure but the fact i was playing a puck when i did go loud may have contributed.
the fatter cover plates they use to accommodate it i think was part of the cause with the steeper part of the one plate right where our lips are resting causing it to push my embouchure right off course.
when i picked up a full size harp after a couple of weeks with the silencer and the puck i sounded terrible because i wasn't putting enough of the harp in my mouth anymore.
thought i'd share it because it's left i thinking they're not really for beginners, better i feel while learning to try and master playing quietly because it's harder to do and more beneficial to us overall, still a useful tool for a beginner if forewarned in my humble.
gonna watch the vid now Tomlin lol this is when i find out i haven't told You anything You didn't know 😂.
Thanks and have a great one Brother cheers 😊.
update - lol seems it's not for advanced players either!
i did watch a couple of reviews on here too, i only Wish You'd got one sooner.
and i was about to give it another go too, many Thanks for saving i some valuable time Brother.
Well, you have just helped me with my suspicion of the fatter harps... like the new Golden Melody: I noticed that it was fatter and decided that I wasn't going to try it just because of that reason... I actually didn't think of the messing up part of my embouchure though, only thought that it would be more difficult to play as I am a smaller person... Thank you for your comment here Matt... 🤗🙏
@@marybethhempel9101 i may have done You a disservice Sister.
with the shinobi whilst both plates are fatter than normal it's one in particular which causes it (can't remember exactly which just now and can't place a hand on it just now either even though i had it earlier on! lol), one of them also has a steeper edge to it and i think those two factors combined is what does it.
i Love Seydels, it's the beautiful rich tone i get from the stainless reeds, having a few 1847's which are similarly fatter than a honer and i have no worries on them.
the low keys which i am also lucky enough to have a couple have even more space under the plates, probably easily equaling the greater of the two on the shinobi and whilst i surely prefer playing a thunderbird for a low harp i still usually go for the Seydels if that's my mood.
i reckon You will quickly become used to them, i did and don't have a particularly large mouth so unless yours is particularly small.
so yh i may have done You a disservice Sister i wouldn't write off the new golden melody just on what i said about the shinobi i tried to keep it short so many Thanks for mentioning it so i could fill in the gap about what i feel is the real cause, really is my bad i should say it's the angle of the top/bottom cover that i think mostly does it i may have another quick edit lol.
Thank You Sister have a great one and happy harpin'! 😊
@@mattredfern1339 Oh, okay, thank you Matt for clearing that up...I appreciate it! 🙏😄
@@marybethhempel9101 Thank You 😁
Hi tom, im curious. Does ot fits to another harmonika like special 20?
Would the BabyFat (only holes 1-7) be good for playing in quieter settings due to it's size, allowing you to more tightly cup the instrument?
Maybe put a build in picke up’ a plug-in your headphones somehow
Nice gadget for Batman, maybe. Fits his style!
I tried that and sent it back months ago. I can’t overbloe or bend anyway. I didn’t think it was quieter either.
No matter how softly you play, the neighbours will still hear it through the walls at 1 in the morning if you live in an appartment. There really is no way until we get a proper midi-harmonica that we can play through head phones.
Great video👍👍👍
Nah. Playing lightly creates bad habits. I did that when I lived in Toronto and I was practicing literally all the way I commuted to work and back, mostly back. I was inside the subway or waiting for it, walking trough malls, walking trough crowds and always with my Special 20 in my hands learning to breathe, practicing basic stuff (I was a total newbie then) but in order not to bother people, especially in the subway I played as lightly as possible. Later realized I am not able to do certain articulations as the instrument just needs a bit more powerful airflow. Now when I want to practice I go to a remote place in the park where I won't bother anyone and I play the loud I want to play. Turns out I am not bothering people even when I am not far from them. I actually asked people if I'm loud and they said no. But I just feel more comfy in the park and weather is still nice. But light play won't do it. I feel so bound to the silence when I want to actually let it go.
Totally agree that you need to play with the correct breath force. The majority of beginners play too hard so it is better to advise them to lighten up.
Thanks for making this available to Harp consumers. Hell, just go out to the garage. IF you ain't got no garage, go out to a bar, and hang out, out back. Those people will not care what the hell you are doing.
Lol. Im on my first week... Im good with volume enough for me to listen if im playing a single note or not.. guess i will have to deal with my neighbours in a couple weeks... Maybe months ... 😅😂
Is that kevin. From home alone . I wonder what he up to. 😂
Wow i was just doing that this morrning playing quieter the usual b3cause im not home im at my mom and she was still a sleep with her bf
I bet foam pipe lagging would do a better job
Imso good I can adjust the volume of my harmonica playing without buying and extra devices.
This summer, I took my harmonics, to practice to the sea beach. To hear nobody.
But do you know, my woman told me, she hears the sound hundred meters away 😳
Close your eyes and this guy sounds just like Mike from, The art of guitar.
I live in an apartment with thing walls. I just go sit in my car outside and play when I want to practice late.
If the play is reasonably correct, the baby will certainly benefit more from it in the long run than from the noise of a radio, a television, arguing parents, or even constant, absolute silence.
i'm soryy but the best thing you can do, on a budget for a nice and inspirational play at the harmonica, it is a mic, and a portable speaker, not hte best on the market but good ones..when you turn that echo on...yeah, then you feel the music.
The only thing that bothers me about this is that once again I see a guy that’s miles above my skill level and I’m jealous!
nope....i made a semi soundproof music room in my basement....especially when playing amplified....
I bought a Hohner Rocket......Now, I'm watching something about muting the sound......Sometimes I can't understand my own thinking........ lol
actually, it's not a stupid idea, if it was made of metal and had holes on the sides of the tube, it could give a nice effect😆
so... that thing is a no-go for everyone, even for beginners?
I have scrapped the idea to have it as a proper solution for practice in general of course. one needs the hands. but it can maybe be a limiting solution temporarily? I rather play with limited tools than not play at all you know...
If you could just explain how to get our house mates to give our space . 😂
Easy solution: Get in your car, whether it's in the garage or outdoors, windows up, and practice away!
Oh…too much time can’t start doing that on all!😂 screws …!
Ok you sold it, I'm gonna get 10. Then I might buy a Suzuki harp😜😂😉. I bet it wasn't cheap either?
You forgot "cat." My harmonica created quite the rift in my home
My neighbors hate me for my harmonica playing, but it’s okay because I hated them first.
Someone should develop a midi harmonica that can only be heard thru headphones. I know sounds far fetched.
My dog howls any time I play.
Mine too!!! Instantly. I'm demoted to the opposite side of the property come rain or shine. I'm starting to play into a towel now; helps a bit, but those high notes...
Nice video Mr L, will you do me a favour? Ask me something about harmonica that only a pro player would know the answer to....
I heard this product is silent but deadly.
LOL You couldn't make it up if you tried.
‘
Tomilin, you’re quite right this a question many classmates do at your school. Thank you for your honesty and this excellent lesson. 📏🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶