Mute Monday Episode 12: Wah-Wa Du-All and Selmer Styratone trumpet mutes.

[@cosmoclark5832]

I had one of the straight mutes in the past. I have been in the restoration of old movie soundtracks at Warner Brother Studios and when working on a film called “High Society” in which Louis Armstrong played a couple of numbers. I was always curious how Louis Armstrong got his very loud and different straight mute sound in his performatives. Well in one song, he had a straight mute in and it was a clear plastic mute. He used Selmer trumpets and Selmer made these mutes, painted red with the felt in the bottom. His mute in the film was clear plastic with no felt in it. I was interested so I picked one up and removed the felt from it. And to me it sounds very much like his sound. But of course I don’t play like him. Just thought you might like the info. Thanks again.

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Wow, thanks for all the info! I've seen videos of him with the clear plastic mute, but I've never played one of those. Seems like he used a variety of straight mutes over the years from different photos and videos.

[@THall-vi8cp]

Very nice. I have one of the 1950s Wa-Wah Du All mutes and it's one if my favorites. With the stem in it sounds almost SoloTone-ish, and that the low register speaks all the way to F# is a plus. It's pretty versatile. I'd eventually like to get a modern all-metal Wa-Wah Du All. I find the intonation and response to be excellent and the mute is not stuffy for me, unlike the Harmon brand. The Humes & Berg Wee-Zee is also a great mute that has that nice tight Harmon sound and plays well in tune.

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Thanks for watching! Nice, it is a great mute. Yeah, I think because it's a little bit bigger that it helps it speak better a bit lower. I actually don't have a wee-zee ... I'll have to get a hold of one for a future video. One of these days I'll make a big H&B video and feature everything I can get my hands on.

[@katherinerzepka4643]

I like the cup mute the most

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Good choice.

[@dirkroesler]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic Hi Josh, just picked up one of these cups. It seems to stick out a lot, but the corks are badly replaced. Have you also filed corks down as always F# in tune played with 123?

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

@@dirkroesler yes - you want to lock in the loe F# with 123. Take it gradually - you can always remove more, but if you go too far you'll have to replace them.

[@lunatica444]

hahahahaha this is great fella!

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Thanks! That styratone harmon ... lol

[@lunatica444]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic hahahahahah