Practice mutes. Silent brass, Denis Wick or Schlipf

[Julian]

I am headed to college soon and will be living in a dorm room. Although my school is opening practice rooms, I am not sure how often I’ll be able to use them and will likely have to practice in my room. Although it’s not ideal, I’m planning on getting a practice mute. I can buy the Denis Wick and silent brass mutes from my local music store and I’m also considering ordering a Schlipf mute from Lee Stofer.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these mutes and could advise me on what to get.

Thanks,

Julian

[jimgray]

I tried and returned a Schlipf. Not for me or my horn (HB1P), but YMMV.
I can see that it may have been beneficial for spot exercises and increasing embouchure focus, but not for general purpose practicing (for me, anyway).

Lee Stofer is a great guy to work with and will send one to you to try, but if you decide to return it you will (naturally) cover shipping both ways (which was a total of $60 in my case).

I suggest you try to find an abandoned basement somewhere. Get to be friends w the maintenance guys and/or bribe them.

[eeflattuba]

I have always used the yamaha silent brass system and have tried both the schlipf and denis wick mutes.The second generation of the silent brass is brilliant..the first generation not so much.What i do not like about the second generation silent brass is the price. It is HUGELY expensive.It is by far the most expensive practice mute out there,tuba or otherwise.Having said that,it is something that i could not live without.I live in a small townhouse and when i can not get to my very large practice space to play open the silent brass system sure does come in handy.

[Julian]

It is worth mentioning that I live in Canada, so getting the schlipf mute would probably be close to 500+ dollars with exchange, shipping and duties. The Denis Wick costs a little over 500, and the silent brass is around 650 without the electronics, and 750 with them. Are the electronics worth the money? If I wasn’t going to use the electronics with the silent brass, would the Denis wick then be the best option? Thanks

[eeflattuba]

It is worth mentioning that I live in Canada, so getting the schlipf mute would probably be close to 500+ dollars with exchange, shipping and duties. The Denis Wick costs a little over 500, and the silent brass is around 650 without the electronics, and 750 with them. Are the electronics worth the money? If I wasn’t going to use the electronics with the silent brass, would the Denis wick then be the best option? Thanks

Good question.I live in western Canada and i am familiar with the cost of bringing things into the country.The only distributor of schlipf mutes is Lee Stofer who is situated in Iowa i believe and on his website he states that he is having difficulty in getting some of the mutes in from his European supplier.He says he still has stock of some of the more popular models of mutes.The silent brass is readily available from any music shop here in Canada like Long and McQuade or St.Johns music.While i do use the silent brass mute with just the mute itself the electronics are invaluable..get them if you can afford it.One thing i should add is that the ear buds that come with the silent brass system are pretty much useless.I bought myself a good quality set of headphones that make a world of difference in terms of sound quality.While the denis wick practice mute is readily avaiable in Canada,and i have used it,i much prefer the yamaha sient brass system.While i have not tried it,the yamaha silent brass system,i am told,can be easily disassembled and placed in the bell of the tuba for transport should the need arise.

[Antontuba]

I’ve been happy with my Wick practice mute.

[marccromme]

Try before you buy. Depends on your tuba how well a particular mute works. For example, the DW works very fine with my EB bass tuba, solid intonation and quite good damping. Reduces noise even more if you place or glue a filt layer on top on the outside of the bottom. But the DW is crap with my BB contrabass tuba. So, you better try by loaning from you mates before buying. Sometimes even your straight mute works fine as practice mute if you wrap a towel around it above the corks. Sometimes not so. Actually, the DW straight and practice mute are the same shape, corking is different only. Plus two holes.

[eeflattuba]

Try before you buy. Depends on your tuba how well a particular mute works. For example, the DW works very fine with my EB bass tuba, solid intonation and quite good damping. Reduces noise even more if you place or glue a filt layer on top on the outside of the bottom. But the DW is crap with my BB contrabass tuba. So, you better try by loaning from you mates before buying. Sometimes even your straight mute works fine as practice mute if you wrap a towel around it above the corks. Sometimes not so. Actually, the DW straight and practice mute are the same shape, corking is different only. Plus two holes.

Good advice.The denis wick practice mute worked great on my 981 besson ee flat but not so great on my bb flat yamaha neo.I ended up selling it and getting the second generation yamaha silent brass.

[anotherjtm2]

Do the electronics in the Yamaha silent brass mute do some active sound cancelling? Or are they only for helping the listening/playing experience?

[eeflattuba]

Do the electronics in the Yamaha silent brass mute do some active sound cancelling? Or are they only for helping the listening/playing experience?

They do some active sound cancelling but not enough to make a huge difference.Your listening experience is greatly enhanced thus making it virtually impossible for you tell you are playing with a mute.A good set of headphones is required and not the cheap ear buds that are sent with the system.

[Snake Charmer]

Maybe the Schlipf Travel Mute is a fourth possibility for you. It can be adjusted from (very silent) practice mute to straight mute for concert use, and with different setups in between I find it very useful for most situations. I find it easier to play in-tune as the Denis Wick I had before. It can be converted to fit into the bell and case/gigbag so you get two mutes for the prices of one.

[hubert]

https://www.thomann.de/nl/voigt_brass_p ... b_tuba.htm

Good experiences with this one. It also available for F tuba.
Hubert

[MartyNeilan]

Even the best practice mute changes the feel and pitch of the horn at least somewhat. Instead of dropping hundreds now, why don't you wait until you get to school and see what you can find. There might be a closet or unused office or even stairwell where you can practice regularly. Don't be afraid to ask about using rehearsal halls after hours, either.

[anotherjtm2]

Even the best practice mute changes the feel and pitch of the horn at least somewhat. Instead of dropping hundreds now, why don't you wait until you get to school and see what you can find. There might be a closet or unused office or even stairwell where you can practice regularly. Don't be afraid to ask about using rehearsal halls after hours, either.

That strategy also helps you avoid dragging the tuba to and from the dorm all the time.

[Leland]

Even the best practice mute changes the feel and pitch of the horn at least somewhat. Instead of dropping hundreds now, why don't you wait until you get to school and see what you can find. There might be a closet or unused office or even stairwell where you can practice regularly. Don't be afraid to ask about using rehearsal halls after hours, either.

Best answer. I have a Schlipf here at home (works okay and fits in the case with the horn), but when I was in school, the late night security worker and I had an understanding. Practiced many times in the band room and recital hall after hours.

[smitwill1]

Do you plan to have more than one tuba/purchase different tubas in your future? Of so, compare the cost of one Yamaha SB against several different Schlipf mutes and $500 becomes easier to justify. I have one and use it at home with a 4/4 CC and a 5/4 F. I can practice in the living-room at "O-dark 30" while my family sleeps upstairs and undisturbed. I rarely use the electronics, so if you're cash strapped buy the mute now and get the electronics later. As for size, it knocks down and can be nested in your bell and fit into a gig bag--but probably not a tight fitting hard case.

[bttmbow]

The Schlipf travel mute is awesome! Tall, and heavy, but great! They are worth the money. I have tried almost every mute, and this one does the job very well.