What are your essential trumpet mutes?

Whether you’re a jazz player or first-chair in a symphony, mutes are essential. What is your go-to mute collection – the brands and models you take with you for every gig? Got a favorite harmon, cup, straight, plunger, or solo tone? Tell us the names and perhaps show us some pictures – and maybe we’ll all learn a thing or two!

6 replies

null
    • Sid_arnold
    • 6 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Yamaha brass silent mute for my early morning practice. It,S the reason I still have my family.🙂

      • Trumpet Lead
      • Ethan
      • 6 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Hahaha amazing! I know the feeling... I have one myself while in Germany for a little bit. Makes the neighbors not hate me :)

      • Dmitry
      • 6 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       how's the resistance? I've been told so many times it "most definitely" will make me develop bad habits, so I just put the bell inside the open wardrobe if I want to play quietly. 😁

      • Trumpet Lead
      • Ethan
      • 6 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Good question... it's definitely NOT ideal to practice with it 100% of the time. I have the SB6X which is nicer than some others I've used, but you're still radically altering the vibrational patterns of the bell. I make sure only to practice very soft with it (it's easy to overdo it)... and I look for opportunities to play at least SOMEthing without the mute every day when traveling. It is very easy to overplay with the mute, in which case you fatigue very quickly and get spread from setting your chops to the wrong setting. Buyer beware!

      • Eric
      • 5 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       try the softtone. It’s basically a neoprene cap you wrap over your bell. Not as quiet as the silent brass, but almost zero back pressure. I’ve started using it when I do method book work to save my ears. 

    • Dmitry
    • 6 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I heard lots of good reviews for Soulo mutes. And I like the sound and practicality. I like their wah-wah way better than the standard aluminium Harmon that I tried. I've got both "all aluminium" and "coper base" versions. They do play and sound slightly different, not sure which one I prefer, both are great. 
    I will most likely get their bucket mute (the black one in the image at the top of the thread) and a straight fibre.
    The HB cup mute in the picture, I preferred the tone out of the few I tried in a shop. It's not adjustable, but you wouldn't want to adjust it anyway, it already sounds good imho.

    IMG_1280
Login to reply

Content aside

  • 5 mths agoLast active
  • 6Replies
  • 45Views
  • 4 Following