Interesting, I haven't heard of that before. What trumpet are you using? What side bell? Did you reach out to Ed Hirschman through his website?

@@JoshRzepkaMusic I have the same issue on ALL my horns. Both cornets and trumpets. The horns just won't slot. They sent me another with some different caps, but it has the same problem. I was just on their website, and the ones they sell now have an extra washer, which owners of the 2nd Gen mute can buy for $10. I'm a tinkerer, and a while ago I decided to experiment a little. I took off the corks and tried holding the mute in place. I think allowing more air to escape helps a lot, so I put 3 corks on it, and I like it. I know the video says they actually rejected that idea, but if you have one that isn't working for you, you may be able to remove the corks carefully for future use and replace them with the standard set of 3 and get a very similar effect. I don't understand the physics of kazoos, trumpets, or mutes, so I don't know why it wasn't working for me, but if you consider the construction of a kazoo, it's basically an open tube with very little resistance. (You do sing into the larger end tho.) It seems to take very little to make the resonators buzz. I get the feeling that too much of the sound is trapped inside the mute, and that may not be required, although it may change the relationship of trumpet to buzz. On the other hand, you didn't seem to have much trouble with it, Josh.

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you!

Great question, I have a K&M Trumpet holder - it clips onto the side of a microphone stand/music stand. You can hang the trumpet from that, I'll see if I can make a video about it sometime in the next few weeks. I'll be back in video mode in about 2 weeks.

For many players - yes. Ideally we don't allow ourselves to get to that point, but it's bound to happen from time to time. What have you found to be helpful?

​@@JoshRzepkaMusic well I am about to throw in the towel. I had a day where I rested and only played for 10 minutes or so, and the next day that lump on the middle of the upper lip, was really hard, almost like rubber, and wouldn't vibrate. so I guess unless it goes away in a couple days Ill have to quit. I don't really have a way to deal with it. thanks for responding.

Hmm ... sounds frustrating. Send me an email or DM me on Instagram, happy to chat a min to see if I can give you another suggestion or two that might help you out!

@@JoshRzepkaMusic hey, thanks!!. will do. lol my insta is suspended apparently for adding so many trumpet players🤷‍♂. but Ill send you an email.

A nice mute - I've got a few of those now ... this video is one of my earliest. I think I included a mic-a-mute in a later video ... can't recall which one though. Agree on the fit/sound compromise, I was just trying to demo some different sounds that are possible.

Yes - it's basically identical, but I'm not certain on the timeline. I've tried contacting Don Maslet, but they've been out of production for a long time, and any emails/contacts that I was able to get from stores/distributers I never got any response from ... perhaps one day I'll get in touch with them somehow. At any rate, this mute is currently available and in production, and the Maslet isn't.

Music is certainly getting louder ... dumber ... no comment! 😂😂

Thank you, much appreciated!! Yes, it's pretty remarkable how much of a difference that little piece makes.

Thank you, glad you liked it!

Fantastic, really glad that helped!

Threw out?! I've not had a chance to play any of the originals ... one of these days!

Semantics, my apologies. I was obviously speaking to the difference between an acoustic and amplified instrument and how that impacts playing trumpet on certain gigs. I suppose it would have been more accurate had I said an "analog electric" signal. Nevertheless, whether it's digitized 1s, and 0s, or an analog signal that's been transferred via electric pickup, at the end of the day it's not exactly an acoustic instrument like a trumpet. Acoustic instruments are limited in volume by a number of parameters, and playing louder isn't as simple as turning a dial, pushing a fader, or plugging into a more powerful PA. An electric guitar, bass, keyboard, doesn't emit enough sound (if any) to be heard in a gig setting without plugging into an amp or PA.

Nice! I'm still using that 4X heritage ... a terrific mouthpiece.

It is expensive for what appears to be a small piece of metal, but it's safe, and it works very well and is consistent. I've used it from time to time, so I think it's got utility, just depends on what you're looking for musically. I will admit, I've spent more money on less useful things ... 😂😂

Thanks!! It plays very well, I dig it as well!

I knew that you would! 😂

Oh nice! Thanks - appreciate you checking out the new vid!

Thanks!! Oh nice, I think you'll enjoy it. I think it's a fantastic practice mute. In this video I'm playing a Shires Model AHW (at the time of purchase it was called the Masters Series). I play Denis Wick mouthpieces (I'm a Denis Wick artist) and the model is the MM4C.

I think some people might say so, I primarily think of "chops" as the lips and immediate area surrounding the mouthpiece (to what most refer to as the "corners").

Glad it was helpful!