To mute or not to mute?

[AFtuba]

I wrote a new article on the use of the mutes, and a review on the Schlipf Mutes

http://alessandrofossi.blogspot.com/201 ... l?spref=fb" target="_blank

Thanks


Alessandro

[cambrook]

To answer the question: Yes absolutely, but only with a top quality mute.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Surprised nothing on 'Wallace,' 'Balu', and/or 'Mutec' mutes.

BTW, I have heard 'through the grapevine' that Apperson is having a mute sale and that he is looking to sell his mute business--FYI.

Regards-
mark

[AFtuba]

my post was intended to enhance the importance to practice with the mute to develop different aspects of our playing;
I tried to describe my experience with Schlipfs mutes after few months test;

If you have other experiences with different brand please share this infos with the tuba community also through my blog if you want, I will really appreciate.

Thank you

Alessandro

[Chriss2760]

I've only been playing tuba for 37 years, so I know I've got a lot to learn. But I haven't had a need for one in jazz, symphonic band, symphony, brass quintet, show or studio work. When I do have a use for one, though, I will certainly get one. And when I do I think the advice to practice with it before I perform with it has a great deal of merit.
Best.
Chris.

[Wyvern]

I've only been playing tuba for 37 years... I haven't had a need for one in jazz, symphonic band, symphony, brass quintet, show or studio work.

There must be a lot of symphonic repertoire you have not played then? I use mute for about 3-4 gigs each year. A number of major symphonic works include muted tuba - Petrushka, Firebird, Pictures, Four Last Songs and Heldenleben come to immediate mind.

Although I have only once ever used in wind band (Paris Sketches by Ellerby) and have not yet come across quintet piece with mute (but then I have only limited experience in that genre).

Certainly wise to practice with mute. The Paul Lawrence wooden mute I use in my Neptune tends to make it play very sharp which I get around by holding down the 5 valve (flat tone) and then playing with BBb fingerings.

Alessandro, do you find the Schlipfs mutes cause the tuba to play sharp?

[AFtuba]

Neptune, with the Schlipf mutes the intontation doesn't change, or at least not that much, this is great because sometime in contemporary music is comonn to find a phrase with the mute and immediately after another one without, so not enough time to take off the mute and pull in the main slide

What about your Paul Lawrence Wooden Mute? have you any picture? and the difference in terme of sound between this and a regular straight?

[Wyvern]

What about your Paul Lawrence Wooden Mute? have you any picture? and the difference in terme of sound between this and a regular straight?

Here is picture of the mute. Sorry I don't know of the differences in sound.

[AFtuba]

Wow, it's huge!!

Tuba players always need a big room in their house just to store tubas and tuba stuff...isn't it?

[Karl H.]

Got to use the mute on some things. On this concert a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.navyband.navy.mil/event_feat ... pson.shtml" target="_blank

I used the mute more than I had in the past couple of years combined.

I had good results with a Balu XL Mahogany mute. Andy and James used different mutes and played superbly.

Karl "not an endorsement, just whatever was lying around" H.