Comparison: 6 Trumpet Practice Mutes (Silent Mutes)

[@dongsoosuh8415]

I purchased Tom Crown practice mute after watching your video, and it was my best shopping in my trumpet life other than the instrument itself. Many many thanks!

[@JonathanMilam1]

Great to hear, really; I'm so happy that you like it. I think it's a great practice mute, and I'm glad it's working well for you. Thanks so much for commenting! :)

[@NPRMc]

I just bought my first trumpet, and I know I'm gonna need two things, practice and a mute, I almost made the mistake of buying the cheapest $5 mute in your demo off ebay. Thanks for your comparisons.

[@BeeeeepBoop]

at first, I thought who is this guy, I really like him and I subscribed.

[@JonathanMilam1]

You have great taste in people!! :) Thanks for subscribing. If you like trumpets, cornets, flugels, etc., there should be plenty on my channel to entertain you. Take care - and have a great day!

[@jazzyyoutubish]

Encouraged by your youtube video I ordered a Tom Crown practice mute and received it today. I agree, it's the best I've ever tried! Thank you for your video.

[@JonathanMilam1]

Glad you like it, Andreas. May it enable you to grow great on the trumpet while sparing the ears of those nearest to you. :) :) Thanks for commenting, too. :)

[@hunteralexander9791]

There are many different types of mutes, including practice mutes. The mute first shown in the video is a bubble mute.

[@Hockeydad90]

I would suggest blowing onto the bell itself instead of the mute. it holds a lot better because you're putting direct moisture onto the metal

[@JonathanMilam1]

Yes, good point; although once the cork swells all is well. But the bell blow is definitely quicker and easier than addressing the entire mute circle with breath. This cornet had a gold plated bell - and it was TOUGH to get any mute to stay in. I never considered this before but we know that a gold plated mouthpiece feels slipperier (and many of us like that) I never considered that the same would be true for a bell/mute match.

[@tp8660]

Thats what my director taught me

[@dschoepflin538]

Yamaha's Silent Brass practice mutes are really great because , at least the one I own, you can play it with your headphones plugged into the headphone hack at the end of the mute. using this tool was the only was I was Permitted to practice in my corm room in college!

[@JonathanMilam1]

D, good input. The only thing I don't like about the Yamaha silent brass mute I have is the back-pressure. Strangely, and I've heard others say the same, when it's used with the headphones it seems like the back-pressure is less noticeable. Probably because we don't play so hard when we hear ourselves through the headphones. There's a lot of neat options too; like raising the outgo one octave - kind of nice to sound like a lead player with just the flip of a switch. :) Thanks for the comment, D; it's always good to hear input about trumpets and equipment; that's why I do these vids. Take care - and please continue the comments!

[@tobieeck9676]

It's a little expensive to be honest

[@Ungomongo]

Yeah but it’s 200 dollars

[@Jamiewaltjr]

Yeah. I’m just broke 😂

[@remygilboe1388]

The reason the first "oriental" mute isn't quiet is because it is modeled after a straight mute so it would be a good straight mute if you want to use it for that, and the second one might work on a piccolo trumpet if you want to try it! Just so you might have a use for these and dont have to throw them away.

[@Johnflugelhorn]

Hi Jonathan,Great demo, I usually spit on the cork of the mute and breathe in the bell. That King trumpoet sounds superb! I also like the Tom Crown.

[@MyNameIsBertram]

Great video, thanks for the reviews - just what I've been looking for! Looking to buy a practice mute for my nephew :)

[@JonathanMilam1]

There's just nothing like a youngster practicing, is there? While most folks wish their children practiced more, practice can be really hard on the nerves of those listening. :) A practice mute may make you a really well like guy in the family... :)

[@hunniemaxandtheirhumantoo3351]

I am unsure if the UK and the US have different ideas of what a practice mute is but to me and the brass bands I have played in the harmon mute is a wow wow mute, the first Chinese mute is a straight mute (almost exactly like a Dennis Wick one) and of course the cup mute and these would never be considered as a practice or silent mute, the only ones you used that we would considered as practice ones are the ones with corking all the way around the thin end of the mute but as I said this may be a difference between the great pond divide. I do have to mention that the new iteration of the Yamaha silent brass is amazing, a lot of the issues with the old one have now been, if not eliminated greatly reduced and gives a decent sound in ear as well and silencing the actual instrument. The back pressure felt from the earlier generation ones is not as bad as it was and is well worth a try though I am impressed with the Tom Crown you were using as it sounded pretty impressive (never used one myself but will be looking into it at some point as though I love the new Yamaha I unfortunately cannae afford it as of yet). Apart from my previous comments over what is a practice mute (I am a pedantic brit so I apologies for picking on those lol) I found your vid very informative and thank you for it :)

[@JonathanMilam1]

And thanks for your comment; that's what makes a channel better. For me, it isn't the configuration or shape that makes a practice mute but the material - usually on the inside. The shapes certainly do resemble other mute types, don't they?

[@Alex.1LE]

Great video ! So if I go to the music store do I ask for a Tom crown trumpet mute ?

[@JonathanMilam1]

This was a 'Tom Crown Practice Mute', Alex. Good luck! :)

[@VideoNash]

These are really nice.

[@JonathanMilam1]

They are! Thank you for commenting! :)

[@ajydnbsuabsos]

Please answer, Jonathan The noise has been the most important reason to difficult my trumpet study. Neighbors have been complaining making my practice time a head ache. I would like to know what mute would you recommend me and also if you could indicate which Tom Crown mute model is the one you are talking about in the video.. Thanks, looking forward to hearing from you

[@JonathanMilam1]

David Wechsler The Tom Crown mute I use has no markings, letters or name attached other than "Tom Crown". It is, however, a very nice mute. I've heard good things about a "Brenmer Ssshhhh Mute", also a practice mute but I haven't found a good used one yet. I get most of my stuff at TrumpetHerald.com in the Marketplace. Good luck, David.

[@ajydnbsuabsos]

+Jonathan Milam I searched some information about the Tom Crown Mute in the internet and I found some places to buy here in Brazil.. Thank you, helped me a lot!

[@JonathanMilam1]

David Wechsler David; Super! Good luck - let us know how it all turns out, ok? Best wishes, Jonathan

[@BanjoPicker]

I have been thinking of going RVing with my family and was reluctant. I am a beginner and did not know about this. Looks like I should not be so afraid to go. I was so worried I would be heard around the RV Park from inside the rig. Wondering if one of these would be good for me.

[@JonathanMilam1]

Greetings! Thanks for watching my channel. :) RVing with family sounds fantastic! If it were me I'd definitely go even if I didn't have a nice practice mute. I'd buzz a mouthpiece for practice (which I use to do OFTEN). Still, a nice practice mute is a huge plus when a trumpeter is on the road. Here's a more recent vid with three of my favorite practice mutes: studio.kzbin.info0-11x_sz4Bo/edit And I just did a little review of a CarolBrass Carol Brass pocket trumpet and I used a few other practice mutes. I almost always buy used products; either at Ebay or, my favorite place, TrumpetHerald.com in the Marketplace. Good luck! If you do get a practice mute be sure to let us know how it works or put up your own demo/review vid... Info for our brother and sister trumpeters is sooooo important! :)

[@yktvmetro]

I currently have a Pampet practice mute. I feel like because I’m just learning I don’t like the way it sounds. Maybe when I’m able to control my breath and get the right sounds I will be satisfied with my purchase.

[@JonathanMilam1]

Niyah; I've never had a Pampet, so I'm sorry I don't know what to say.

[@yktvmetro]

@@JonathanMilam1 It’s okay. I’m actually thinking about investing in a Tom Crown. I just started playing trumpet, the only problem i have is balancing practice time lol

[@JonathanMilam1]

I’ve bought many mutes used at EBay and Trumpetherald.com; great savings. I use a Wallace practice mute now, smaller for travel, but the Tom Crown is one of the best for no back-pressure. Lots of talk about home practice and associated challenges at Trumpetherald.com; it’s the best general resource I’ve found for trumpeters. Good luck - and keep in touch!

[@yktvmetro]

@@JonathanMilam1 Thank you!!!! I appreciate it

[@wood8595]

does it change the way it feels to play at all?

[@JonathanMilam1]

Some practice mutes are quite restrictive. The Yamaha is stifling, to my way of thinking. Here are 3 newer vids that I've made of practice mutes... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zl6UYquVqN9neNE kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnPYoHVpmJiGiZY kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnPCeHSMg72MmtE Overall, I think the Wallace Studio Mute (the blue one) is the best practice mute I've found. When the little stem is removed there is almost no back pressure at all - and it is still quiet. Great question - and thanks for watching. :)

[@brokenwrench1]

that mute that falls out is for a piccolo trumpet

[@JonathanMilam1]

+brokenwrench1 That could be. I don't have a picc on hand or I'd try it. It's patterned after a fairly popular American made practice mute that fits in the bell for easy travel but it's definitely too small for any of the Bb horns I've had. The box, and Ebay description, said nothing about a piccolo and it's advertised on its box as "Trumpet Mute" with a lovely Bb trumpet pictured... But the more I think about it - you must be right.

[@gohkawai8206]

Dear Jonathan I enjoy your videos! I was unaware of the Tom Crown mute. I will look for it. Practice mutes are important for me when I stay at hotels. I have a Bremner "sshhmute", a Yamaha "silent brass", and a Best Brass "warmup". They all feel different from each other. At my elementary level of playing I need to practice without a mute. A practice mute feels so different that it destabilizes my already questionable playing technique. Maybe somebody will sell a case that engulfs the entire trumpet to keep the feel normal, like the e-sax practice mute for saxophones. (The e-sax looks like a sax case with the mouthpiece sticking out of it.) I look forward to your next video!

[@JonathanMilam1]

Goh Kawai Goh; Greetings! Thank you for your kind comment. I enjoy making the videos and am always happy to hear that they're beneficial. I do agree; mutes can be a detriment to correct playing. I have heard several say that the Bremner sshhmute is quite good; I haven't yet played one. I know Yamaha's Silent Brass is very quiet but mine (an older one) is not good for back pressure. I've know guys that have played into closets full of clothes to muffle their playing - but that's tough in a motel - we don't always bring enough clothes to fill a hotel closet when we travel. :) For that reason a mute is certainly easier! I'll try to acquire a sshhmute sometime and do a video with it. Please - feel free to leave your feelings about your mutes - it's great to share experience with other trumpeters. Take care, Goh; and as always - continued best wishes.

[@dum2371]

Buy em off amazon. Also the first 5 dollar mute was a strait mute

[@JonathanMilam1]

I like buying them at Trumpetherald.com used. Cheaper than the big A.

[@amandas1270]

very interesting demo... tnx 4 posting! i'am not an accomplished player but often warm up with a practice mute and never had one fall out B4? would certainly be ironic if moisture from your breath was actually causing the mute to fall out :)

[@JonathanMilam1]

I've got to do a vid on good practice mutes; I now have 3 really nice ones - none of which fall out (and I still breathe on them to enlarge and soften the cork :) ). Good point, too - and funny. :) Take care and thanks for posting.

[@mgoksoy]

Practiicing continuously with a practice mute (Faxx), fear of neighbors. Would it affect negatively my progress as a beginner?

[@JonathanMilam1]

That is a great question. I travel for work half the time, and when I travel I can only play with a practice mute. It’s ok for my lip, range, scales, etc., but I have to be careful when I get home... If I begin improperly, I can overblow my chops, which have become use to a lot of resistance. So, playing with a practice mute is easier, for me at least, but there is this downside. Still, playing with a practice mute is much better than not playing at all. I do hope this helps you! Do keep in touch! :)

[@mgoksoy]

@@JonathanMilam1 Many thanks, guess I'll practice more after this info.

[@mgoksoy]

@@JonathanMilam1 Hi Jonathan, I would've never believed that mouthpieces could make such a huge difference. My trumpet naturally came with a 7c mouthpiece. I have been struggling since two weeks to produce acceptable sounds. After watching many tutorial videos I came to the decision that a larger rim mouthpiece could suit me better and ordered a Bach 3c. It arrived today and guess what. I am producing wonderful C s and G s and all other pitches like never before! Great God...

[@jjsage8903]

You play beautifully, that trumpet sounds so beautiful. What kind of trumpet is it? It's defiantly not a Bb tone one huh?

[@JonathanMilam1]

+Cheech joub Thanks for the kind comment. It is a Bb cornet (much like a trumpet but a bit shorter and more conical). It's an old (vintage) King SilverSonic cornet; it has a solid sterling silver bell.

[@nattance1]

+Jonathan Milam Whew! I was about to tell you that your "trumpet" wasn't one!

[@meddown6859]

I was thinking about that too lol :P I bothered me, and I don't play trumpet.

[@VideoNash]

thanks

[@JonathanMilam1]

Welcome, and thanks for commenting. :)

[@jaxon2463]

Could the the small mute be for a piccolo trumpet?

[@JonathanMilam1]

Jaxon; I believe this is probably correct. It was labeled on Ebay for a Bb trumpet - but I believe they used a piccolo trumpet mute pattern for their production run. Irritating for a buyer, believe me, as I don't play piccolo trumpet. :)

[@amj.composer]

Is it possible to use these practice mutes with pocket trumpets?

[@JonathanMilam1]

If the bell will accept a full size mute, yes. Some pocket trumpets that I've had were so small-belled, they could not take a full size mute. CarolBrass can - and they have a great little pocket trumpet too. If the ad says, 'Big Bell', they'll usually be able to handle a mute; which is often essential when using a pocket trumpet. Great question, Aryaman.

[@NiecieB65]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@JonathanMilam1]

+Denise Borum Greetings, Denise - thanks for your kind comment.

[@xavierbranch2748]

what was the song you played i really want to learn it

[@JonathanMilam1]

Thanks for listening and commenting. That song is simply called ‘Amazing Grace’; it’s an old Christian Hymn. The music should be easily available online. Good luck!! :)

[@bengregoire]

excelllent video

[@mochacolaa6151]

The solid black mute is the one my school uses lol

[@the.bobbybass]

You sound exactly like Joel Heyman from rooster teeth

[@JonathanMilam1]

+gReEnoh2O I've never seen Rooster Teeth... Is you comment a compliment? :) Thanks - J M

[@gerhardhofer5031]

The build of that trumpet looks a lot like that of a cornet, is it meant to be a middle-of-the-road instrument?

[@JonathanMilam1]

+Gerhard Hofer It actually is a cornet; a nice vintage King Silversonic. I use the term trumpet mutes in the title because trumpets probably outnumber cornets these day by 3-1. Good catch, Gerhard.

[@roboutot4839]

9:30 The sound of the video is lower than at 0:05 . Did you use a mute on your camera?

[@JonathanMilam1]

No mute, but what a thought... :) It was a Zoom recorder that was shutting down after volume, I think. After playing - the talking seems very faint. Headphones/earbuds will help tremendously.

[@roboutot4839]

@@JonathanMilam1 ah ok, thank you. By the way great video, I want to buy a trumpet mute now.

[@tedtedsen269]

Hai Jonathan i have the Yamaha silentbrass 2 on my ytr6335g it is silent but have tuning issues many notes are out of tune flat here and Sharp there acording to my tuner but i can hear my playing on the headphones to my ears but it dosent record tounging sound so i can fool myself to think i have a clean articulation i think the tomcrown is a better mute for tuning , and back presure

[@JonathanMilam1]

Ted; the Yamaha silent mute is a unique mute; the nearest to an ideal silent sound that I've found - but the backpressure on that mute can be a killer. My experience is that the more silent the mute - the greater the back-pressure. As far as intonation, I think (this is my experience) that if a mute plays both flat and sharp it isn't fitting correctly in the bell. This is a really interesting phenomenon, too. I had a little mute that was horrible when I first tried it - I put it away in my junk drawer and didn't use it for months. I then pulled it out after a long period of time (and I'd switched horns) and it worked fabulously - because it fit the bell of my new horn very well. You may need to add some cork or material or file away some of the cork or material you have - probably add if your second gen mute is like my 1st gen was (thin padding). When the mute fits in the bell at just the right sweet spot - the intonation should become better. As far as tonguing - very interesting point. Again, I'm guessing that something is missing in the sweet spot of the bell and when you find the right spot for the intonation you're tonguing may be more noticeable - but the tonguing thing is just a guess. Let us know how it works out, Ted; good luck - and thanks for posting here.

[@russellstraight9991]

I have the silent brass #2 and it plays well in tune throughout. Playing music through the supplied aqualizer and headphones mine plays well in tune. With little to no pressure. I wonder if the few people I've heard say that they get huge pressure on it possibly could be their instrument. Although my Bach cornet and my olds super play in tune throughout. I know this is an older video but wanted to share my experience

[@brandovasquez8635]

I can't find the tom crown, that has a flat bottom

[@JonathanMilam1]

It's a toughie to find, no doubt. I got mine used at TrumpetHerald.com by luck. A comment the day after yours tells of someone that was able to get one ordered by a music store. Good luck!! :)

[@TooSlowTube]

Thomann in Germany sell them. They ship internationally. That's where I bought mine: www.thomann.de/gb/tom_crown_trompete_uebungsdaempfer.htm?ref=search_rslt_tom+crown_213397_12 It is a good mute, though I also like the original Yamaha Silent Brass one, after drilling a small hole in the middle to make it less stuffy. It makes it less "silent" too, of course. I don't like the new Yamaha one at all. I use the Tom Crown held on with a small hot water bottle cover which has a velcro fastener, to stop it falling out (thin enough to breathe through), but I ended up drilling the holes a little bit bigger because that felt stuffy. Incidentally, you can use the Yamaha electronics with any mute, if you buy a mono clip on mic with a 3.5mm jack.

[@silkythehybrid8964]

What is the song that he played

[@JonathanMilam1]

Zachary, I think that's mostly the first phrase of "Amazing Grace".

[@0915lbeliveau]

What brand Harmon Mute is that?

[@remygilboe1388]

+0915lbeliveau it appears to be just a harmon brand harmon mute.

[@JonathanMilam1]

+0915lbeliveau Oops... This comment should be last - you are correct, I do use a harmon mute in this. I believe the Harmon style mute I used (for comparison about half-way through) is indeed a Harmon brand mute as well. Very sorry for my incorrect answer earlier (I'm going to delete it now if I can). Thanks for watching - good question, too.

[@austin5920]

Love the build style. Looking to buy a trombone with the same sterling silver and gold bell style with the brass accents on tuning slides. Do you like the sound and feel compared to, say a trumpet with a rose brass bell? Conn 88HSGX if you're interested in seeing it.

[@JonathanMilam1]

+Austin Mann Austin; Greetings. I did take a look on the internet and that Conn 88HSGX is a gorgeous horn, isn't it? I do like the sterling silver bell; it does make for a great horn. The bell does seem thicker (to me at least) and so, again to me (everyone is different), the horn seems to play slightly darker than a lighter brass-bell horn might. I think the silver bell can be 'lit up' with the right player (really 'filling the horn'), mouthpiece and so on. I've had 4 of the sterling silver belled horns though and I'd like to have more. :) Thanks for commenting!

[@austin5920]

Jonathan Milam Thanks John! Sounds like exactly like what I'm looking for, I've always loved symphonic sound more than jazz.

[@teacher5376]

Hi.i see.i try, to diy, a mute, from a bell ' , from .....clarinets....add to my instruments. Fine ..

[@JonathanMilam1]

Very good, Y Choon! I've heard of self-made mutes... Congratulations! :) Thank you very much for commenting! :)

[@talkenhorn]

Or husband, boyfriend etc.

[@JonathanMilam1]

+talkenhorn True! :) My bad - and my apologies!

[@talkenhorn]

:-)