[TPIN] Mutes are cheap and easy.

[Graham Young]

Compared to choosing mouthpieces, trumpets, and cornets deciding on mutes is
much easier. Just get them all.

They do not cost much $30-50 each
They last a lifetime or more with little care.
They allow you to modify your sound for every occasion, style and instrument
keeping conductors, contractors and fellow musicians happy.
In a small athletic or shoulder bag you can carry as many as you need.
Even if you so not use them all they look cool sitting there.
They extend the range of tonal possibilities in your performance.
They have such different sounds that substitution is not really an option.


It is ok to have more than one of any type. I have about 8 different
straight mutes. They all are slightly different but not one sound suits all
music. Not every mute fits every bell.
Sometimes you want a real edgy straight sometimes more diffuse.
Some mutes (JORal) can be too loud for a passage. Some (Sparx wooden) are
not loud enough for the same thing.


When a new principal cornet joined our band he was using a Bubble Harmon and
a JO Ral straight. So I just went out and got these to match his sound.
I personally prefer the "original" style Harmon but it sounds better when
they match.  The Bubble can be played louder. The JORal joins my other 8
straights I have collected over time. Wooden, fibre, copper, copper top,
aluminium (2), Eb aluminium, pic.
Different bells from a 5 1/2 "rotary to an E1 Schilke Eb will fit slightly
different mute sizes.


Metal straights seem to be more common because they are louder but the old
stone lined straight sounds just right to me for some styles. Same with
stone lined cup. The Wicks cup is probably better playing but the stone
lined cup has the exact sound needed at times.

As a trombone player once told me; "that's why they make more than one
flavour of ice-cream" 

I can understand those who only would have one of each type.
I am not so understanding when at a rehearsal or concert the player did not
bother to bring the required mute at all or not to bring a standard mute
"just in case". After all even with odd types you really can get by with a
Straight, Cup, Harmon, Bucket, Plunger, Solotone. Not a lot of equipment.

I can see not bringing mutes once the real requirements are determined for a
particular service but not before this.

I remember during our recording of a brass band piece "Variations on a
Korean Folksong" with our band one muted solo just did not work with a
straight mute. We substituted a Solotone and the balance and sound was
perfect.
Would not have been possible if the mute was at home or on a store shelf.




Graham J. Young B.Mus B.Ed
 
Hamilton Musician Services
(905) 928-4671 -cell
gjyoung at mountaincable.net
To: tpin at tpin.okcu.edu
Subject: Re: [TPIN] Solotone Substitution

I was glad to see all the answers about getting one.
My take on the subject???
You took the gig -- go buy the mute!
Mike Vax
n