TubeNet

Hello Everyone,

In order to practice at weird times and in weird situations I decided that I would invest in practice mute.

I have heard that they can do many things to improve one's playing, however what are those things? Also, what are the best mutes available? I have looked at Trumcor, TTU, and Denis Wick, but I'm not sure what each type has to offer. Thanks and happy holidays!

Schlipf, a German company, makes practice mutes which are supposed to be VERY good.

I know somebody who works at a music store who can order them, but I keep putting off contacting him.

Look up their website (I found the site by looking on Yahoo). They make different sizes for 4/4, 6/4, etc.

PM me if you want more info; maybe that will get me off my tuchas to order one for myself!

Chris Hall
METopera Orch, NY

The TrumCor Practice Mute is terrific. The Standard Model ($175) works well for me in many situations. They also make a Deluxe Stealth Practice Mute ($225). The Standard mute blows freely, almost no resistance is added to playing; you just loose all that noise that annoys the neighbors.

I believe that they work with a major orchestral tuba player but since they don't advertise the name I won't throw it around for them.

You can order it for F tuba, 4/4 or 6/4 tuba.

https://www.trumcor.com/shop?product_ca ... Tuba+Mutes

Greg wrote:Do the silent brass mutes bring the same results as practicing with a true practice mute? I haven't played on one but they look big, cumbersome, easily broken, and expensive.....The combination of these issues makes me a bit leary.

I have had a Humes and Berg practice mute for several years and it is a great tool though I think it is much larger than the Schlipf mutes.

My friend got a Silent Brass system for his trumpet, and I gave it a listen. Almost no sound came out of the bell, but I heard everything clearly through the headphones. I didn't play it, so I don't know how it is regarding resistance, though.

bttmbow wrote:Schlipf, a German company, makes practice mutes which are supposed to be VERY good.

I played one of those Schlipf practice mutes last year at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt. I tried it in the new Besson EEb. It was terrible IMHO.

I am working with Ira Nepus to finish a new neoprene and foam Softone mute for tuba, like the trombone bucket/practice versions he's been making for years. Needs some adjustments still, not ready for sale.

SF

There are small holes cut in the Softone mute to let the air out.

SF

my personal experience with the silent brass for the tuba is more smoke and mirrors. it's pricey and silents about as much as a standard practice mute. if you haven't seen one, they're collapsible like a camping plastic cup (http://www.hkepoch.bizland.com/image/CC-2.jpg) and you plug in a few cords. the response in the headphones, for me, was not very impressive in comparison to the trumpet and trombone models (which are great). hope this helps.

I use my silent brass for tuba without the electronics. It's big, heavy and a royal pain to use, but I got it cheap so that makes it worth while. I liked it a lot more when I still had a tuba tamer. (I should have never sold that thing).

I have a Wick practice mute that works well for me. I have not used many different styles of mutes but I feel I get a good practice in when I use it. I can play late at night and not disturb sleeping family members. I do have to pull my main tuning slide to get it close to 440 but the horn stays in good relative pitch. I have not spent much time adjusting the fit so it may be possible to counter-act the sharpness, but it is close enough for my purposes.

I feel that I get good feedback on my buzz when I use the mute. It can help isolate buzz problems (buzzing slightly off the exact pitch) on some notes -- in my opinion.

I jave a silence brass from yamaha for my tuba and after a month my son was big and clear