Practice Mutes?

BriceT · Post by **BriceT** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:33 pm

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!

bttmbow · Post by **bttmbow** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:42 pm

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

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:01 pm

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

The Jackson · Post by **The Jackson** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:46 pm

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.

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:08 pm

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

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:34 pm

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

SF

Casey Tucker · Post by **Casey Tucker** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:26 pm

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.

Tubaryan12 · Post by **Tubaryan12** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:13 am

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).

ScotGJ · Post by **ScotGJ** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:01 am

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.

Calinours89 · Post by **Calinours89** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:35 pm

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