Hey Ben, I just purchased a banjo mute to add to my very different things to carry in my banjo case. My question is what is the real reason for a banjo mute? to practice quietly or keep the wife from hollering that I am to loud!! and also what songs have been recorded with the banjo mute? Thanks
Banjo Muting
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The only time I ever used a mute was when I was practicing late at night or early in the morning at a hotel. Never liked them though 
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Welcome to the board, Quinn!
I use my mute when the family is home and I don’t want to disturb them. That being said, I’ve kinda learned to like the sound with the mute on. It works well on slower songs you wouldn’t normally hear a banjo on.
I don’t know of any songs that have been professionally recorded using a mute, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
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IMHO, the only positive effect of a banjo mute is to keep the wife from hollering. That’s a pretty big benefit. Without the mute she might leave the house & go to her mother’s. Some musicians consider this a bigger benefit.
Other than that, I can think of no other reason anyone would want a banjo to be quieter, unless they play guitar. Guitar players always recommend banjo mutes.
Don’t do what I did. I almost broke my banjo trying to play it louder. I’m yanking on the strings, plucking & pulling but still I could not get the volume I thought I should have. Then I noticed the mute was still attached to the bridge. It scared me how loud it was when I removed the mute!
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I routinely practice with a mute, partly to keep the wife and neighbors from annoyance and partly to protect my own hearing. But I’ve found that playing with a mute makes me pick the strings harder; when I take the mute off, I tend to play too loudly. I occasionally remove the mute and play the banjo unmuted to get the feel of controlling the volume. It takes a little time to get adjusted to an unmuted banjo. If I’m going to meet others for some picking, I’ll practice without the mute for a day or two beforehand.
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