Mutes

Mutes - What are they and why do we need them?

Mutes work in lots of different ways. As the name suggests, the mute acts to soften - quieten - muffle - stifle - subdue (pick your synonym) the performance of a musical instrument.

One of the prime differences between a woodwind and a brass instrument (the names are of course misleading - the saxophone being made of brass) is the way in which sound is produced. Unklike instruments from the brass family. Woodwind instruments are "non-directional" id est, the sound is produced in different directions with similar volumes. One can use a mute with a saxophone (indeed we sell them), but they are not nearly as effective as for brass instruments - as there is no specific area to mute. You can place the mute in the bell, it will have a quieting effect, but because sound is still being produced in other directions, the sound will be less controlled by the mute.

Brass instruments such as trumpets, cornets etc. (those belonging to the brass family) are very "directional" - obviously, sound is produced via the bell. This makes them much easier to mute, and makes muting much more effective, hence how manufacturers and artisans can play around with the different materials available to achieve different sounds, and different levels of muting from brass instruments. Our mute selection is growing. Currently we stock mutes mainly from Jo-Ral and Denis Wick (you can read about them below). We also have Tom Crown, Humes and Berg (Stone Lined) and the Yamaha Silent Brass Modules, which cleverly combine the natural shape of a mute, with new sound technology - practice with your earphones on - no one can hear you!

Jo Ral Brass Mutes

Jo Ral mutes are used internationally by leading brass players and can be found in virtually every music venue imaginable.

For 30 years, Jo-Ral founder Joe Alessi has been a designer of excellent mutes, adding refinements and innovation to create mutes that give superb acoustic and tonal performance. These designs have been used by some of the most respected, well-known and talented professionals in the music business. Jo-Ral mutes are made of the highest quality hand-spun aluminium and enable even performance in all registers. Additional metals such as copper and brass create a different type of muted effect (see individual descriptions below). The cork used by Jo-Ral is neoprene-enhanced, meaning that it is very durable and will not dry-out or fall-off while still creating a perfect fit.

Denis Wick Brass Mutes

All Denis Wick metal straight mutes are made from high purity spun aluminium, ‘scotchbrite’ finished and bright silver anodised. The well known 5504 and 5521 trumpet and piccolo trumpet models are now complemented by a new straight mute for D trumpet and Eb cornet. There is also a new model for alto trombone which also suits flugel horns with older type small bells. The Denis Wick straight trumpet and trombone mutes have a brilliance and carrying power which make them the choice of the world's finest professionals. The trombone and bass trombone models work perfectly in all registers and are easier to handle than other makes. The baritone mute now completes the range of straight mutes for all the brass band instruments. The tuba mute has more clarity and is superior in all registers than any other so far developed. It is supplied with extra cork pieces to fit larger tubas. All Denis Wick straight mutes have excellent intonation and are well matched when played together.

Denis Wick cup mutes have the perfect intonation that has become the hallmark of all Denis Wick mutes, with the added bonus that the cup position can be adjusted to give exactly the desired sound quality - for microphone, solo, or section playing. Denis Wick cup mutes have the perfect intonation that has become the hallmark of all Denis Wick mutes, with the added bonus that the cup position can be adjusted to give exactly the desired sound quality - for microphone, solo, or section playing. The trombone and bass trombone models have absolutely no bad notes and respond evenly in all registers

Denis Wick ‘E.T.’ mutes are well engineered ‘Wow’ mutes of traditional design. They all work well with tubes either in, extended, or removed. The trombone and bass trombone models particularly good in the usually difficult low register.

Denis Wick practice mutes are perhaps the best teaching aid ever invented. Not only do they fulfil the need for the IN TUNE painless practice, so essential in the development of every young player and an indispensible ‘hotel mute’ for the professional, but they also make possible an enormous improvement in tone quality using the entire vital capacity as a vibrating air column by opening the throat spaces through playing loudly in the low register. They are a fraction of cost of the electronic practice mutes now available, which do not develop the sound in the same way.

Humes & Berg Trumpet Mutes

Willie Berg invented Stonelined Mutes in 1935. Stonelined Mutes play perfectly in tune and are easy blowing. For the perfect professional sound all the time, the line of Stonelined Mutes offers many different models to produce outstanding various tonal colors for the Brass player. Included in the many Stonelined Mute features that allow the outstanding colors of sound is the secret formula used to line each and every Stonelined Mute.

Tom Crown Brass Mutes

The Tom Crown mutes offer a bell shaped contour, making them a perfect acoustic match for brass belled instruments. They offer consistent tone quality, a dynamic range and great intonation with an "open" feel. The copper bottomed trumpet mute gives a warmer tone and greater projection than the standard all-aluminium straight mute.

Yamaha Silent Brass Modules and Mutes - The ST9 Module

The Silent Brass system lets you play your horn anywhere you want, anytime you want, and with just the kind of ambiance you feel like. You can mix into the sounds of a CD player, other Silent Brass or other instruments with electronic output such as Clavinovas, Silent Pianos, synthesizers or electronic keyboards, and output your playing into a tape deck or even an amp with speakers. Never again will you have to search for a practice room, have to "stop because it’s getting late". The Silent Brass system includes Personal Studio, Pickup mute, earphones, and an adapter.

Each mute comes with the ST-9 - The newly improved ST9 Personal Studio is has been reduced to a size and weight approximately 1/4th that of the previous model. It is a tiny amplifier, small enough to fit into a shirt pocket, which offers a choice of "clean" or echo enhanced sound. It lets you hear your own playing at the volume you are accustomed to, to prevent any over-blowing. An Aux In is a direct line-in for playing along with CDs or other recordings.

ST-9 Specifications

Input: 120 Hz to 20 kHz

Aux In: Brass 160 Hz to 20 kHz

Input Level: (0dBm=0.775 Vrms) -30d - Aux In: -20dBm

Output/Phones: (0dBm=0.775 Vrms) -10dBm

Jacks and Terminals: whisper—thus eliminating the resistance from overblowing SYSTEMS INPUT, AUX IN, OUTPUT/PHONES (all mini jack type)

Control: Volume, Input Lo/Hi, Power OFF/ON/ECHO

Power Supply: The ST9 Personal Studio unit is so small and light that it runs on: 6F22/6LR61 9-Volt battery (Operation with Manganese batteries last about 12 hours.)

Dimensions: (W x D x H) 75 x 70 x 25 mm (2-15/16"h x 2-3/4"h x 1"h)

Weight: 65g (2.3oz) without batteries

Saxophone Mutes