Acoustic guitar is too loud...

Chiba

I started playing guitar in may with a crappy starter electric guitar. I'm back at college now and I wanted to get an acoustic guitar...so I got one but it's way too loud for my small apartment. It's not that i mind the noise, but the walls/doors are paper thin in this building. People have recommended "strumming softer" but i really can't seem to do that. So.

1) How does one strum softer?

or

2) i did some searches for guitar mutes and didn't get much results...is there such a thing/are they called something different?

Thanks!

Chanus

You could try a Soundhole Cover.

This is just an example of one... There are some that are just full rubber as well, which work pretty well to mute the guitar.

deadlyrhetoric

Strumming softer would literally just be strumming slower or lighter, with less velocity in your strumming motion. Also, you could just palm-mute whenever you play.

Alternatively, you could set up a sweet living room couch cushion and blanket fort and play inside that.

zilo

Wrap a sock around the neck if all you want to do is practice fingering. Other than that there's not a lot you can do that will satisfy your neighbors. An acoustic is supposed to be loud, it's meant to fill a room without an amp. There are things you can do to make it a bit quieter but you're going against the design of the instrument, it's not going to be perfect.

If you want to play silently, get an electric and some headphones. If you have to have that acoustic sound, there are pedals you can get. I know Boss makes one, there are probably more.

zilo

edit: the post so nice I made it twice

The_Glad_Hatter

can''t you just play electric with headphones?

edit: okay, you specifically wanted to pick up acoustic. Never mind.

joshofalltrades

If I want to play softer, I use my finger as a pick instead of a pick.

Yeah it's not the same feel but you can play a lot quieter.

prfntbtr

Start palm muting all the time, forever?

MushroomStick

A shallow body acoustic wouldn't be as loud. Perhaps too late for that though.

garroad_ran

Strumming softly is like anything else on the guitar.... you have to practice it!

If you're using a pick, take a look at how much of the pick is actually sticking out from your fingers and hitting the string. The less of the pick you use, the softer your strum will be.

EDIT: you may also find you can strum softer with a softer pick. But then you'd have to use a pick that bends and...eew

Rderdall

You can pick up an in-guitar humidifier, such as this and it will not only protect your guitar from cracking, but will also allow you to practice without disturbing your neighbors.

mysticjuicer

Why not play your electric unplugged?

Chanus

Playing an electric unplugged and playing an acoustic are two very different things when you're learning to play.

mysticjuicer

Chanus wrote: »

Playing an electric unplugged and playing an acoustic are two very different things when you're learning to play.

Absolutely, but at least the OP can practice without pissing off the neighbors. It's still something s/he can play and practice while in the current living situation.

Hahnsoo1

The first answer, a Soundhole Cover, is probably the most effective solution. They run around 10 bucks (if you can't afford one, then I question how you are able to get both an electric and acoustic guitar within your budget), and they work pretty well. My dad used one when practicing.

MrMonroe

first: don't alter your playing style; strumming less forcefully or holding the pick more loosely are deliberate choices which affect more than just the volume

the soundhole cover is the best choice, but if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, put a pillow on your lap so it sits flush against the back of the resonance chamber. That will lower the volume while deadening the sound to a similar degree as the soundhole cover

Sheep

Stuff your sound hole with foam helps.

Mustang

Try strumming with the edge of the pick rather than the tip. It will be quieter and won't deaden the sound, though it might not be quiet enough.