Practice Mutes for Trumpet #2 // Mute Monday Episode 14

Practice mutes allow you to practice anywhere at any time. This video compares 11 popular mutes side by side so that you know which one is best for you.
(if you're only interested in the playing, skip to 7:45 in the video)
The mutes compared in this video:
Upsound Upmute
Don Maslet Practice Mute
Jo Ral Practice Mute
Denis Wick Practice Mute
Pampet Mute
Ueetek Mute
Best Brass Warm-up Nano
The Silencer
Dillon Music Practice
Two different Shastock Charlie Spivak Whispa-Mute.
A very big thanks to Stomvi USA for the Upsound Upmute mute so that I could make this video. This video is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.
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Josh is a Chicago based trumpeter, composer, and author. He has been featured on NPR, PBS, and has been heard on jazz radio across the world.
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[@samuelzackrisson8865]

I have an upmute and i am a fan of it

[@seekingseaker]

Great content!

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Thank you!!

[@Vinithmartin]

Hats off.

[@JonErikKellso]

Thanks, I enjoyed this very much. Very helpful. Keep ‘em coming!

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Thanks!!

[@BruceAlanR]

Used a Denis Wick for years (got it in the 1980's). Unless they've made changes, I can't recommend it. Air flow is bad (very restrictive), intonation in lower and upper register is terrible. The only thing it does well is reduce volume. Just my 2 cents (flat or sharp).

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

I'm not sure if they've changed much over the years, but it seems to be one that some people really love and some people aren't a big fan. I'll have to revisit the new ones and see how it's sounding and feels. I remember it being easy to overblow, but I often back off when practicing with practice mutes as they all have a tendency to have a lot of backpressure.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

I have a Humes & Berg flugelhorn practice mute. It isn't the quietest, but it's quiet enough and doesn't add too much resistance.

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Nice! I haven't seen the flugel mute, glad to hear it's working for you.

[@gregorysloat4258]

I would say the top two mutes were the Upsound Mute and the Dillon Music practice mute, as far as reducing sound. I’ll have to take your word on the intonation problems on the Dillon, but at $36, it’s almost $50 cheaper than the $85 Stomvi Upsound, which could be a factor for some. The Upsound would be my choice, though (full disclosure: I have the Upsound mouthpiece practice device, which I use every day and am very happy with). I also have an original “Renuzit” practice mute I made years ago for only a few dollars, and it works great. Some of the other mutes made interesting sounds that could be used for performance, but they weren’t really soft enough to be called a “practice” mute.

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

I haven't tried the upsound mp practice device, I may have to get one. Years ago I used to have a renuzit mute ... it was great ... unfortunately I lost it.

[@furcifer8218]

For the compact mute choices, I prefer the Protec Liberty Compact - better and cheaper than the Dillon. Used to be under 20 bucks, which made it the best practice mute for the money, but since then, it has gone up. It also is among the best possible choice for sound reduction, for those who have that as a first priority. You demonstrated a good comparison within the limitations of a KZbin recording, but did not address or measure with a decibel meter locally. But I have... Just as a frame of reference, another mute worth a try is the Easy Bucket Silencer practice mute, which I measure at 71dB (also my Renuzit Air Freshener practice mute I measure at 71dB, but it has less-even intonation and blow), my Best Brass Nano in my Jo-Ral Copper Bubble is at 70dB, and the Protec Liberty Compact considerably quieter at 67dB.

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Thanks for chiming in! I do have a few other practice mute videos ... and I reviewed the entire Easy Bucket line-up, including the silencer. Unfortunately I lost my renuzit mute years ago .. and that shape air freshener is no longer made. I didn't use a decibel meter, don't have one! But that would be interesting. Either way, it all depends player to player, and horn to horn. I almost never use a practice mute, unless I'm in an airport, or back stage. Otherwise if I need to be quiet I just work on my pp playing, and if I use a mute I use a Denis Wick adjustable cup, which is the mute I always travel with.

[@PaulGrosar]

Hello! Thank you for all the videos! What do you recommend for long practice sessions? Unfortunately I have to prepare for future concerts and i have to practice in my apartment. Until now I practiced with a cup mute but i find it very unpleasant because of the backpresure and i fill that it destroys my lips and my control for a good quality, round and warm and focused sound. Do you think UpMute should do the work? Thanks!

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Hello, thanks for writing! I'm not sure I would really recommend any practice mute for repetitive prolonged practice sessions, I like to use them only when necessary. Usually for short sessions, or warming up quietly backstage. The UpMute is an excellent one. The Mutec aluminum practice mute is also very open - but it's articulation isn't particularly clear - and it's not as soft. Have you considered a bucket mute? Do you have a car - I'll sometimes practice in a car if I need to warm-up or play extremely early, or in a situation where noise would be an issue. I haven't used one of these .. but this may be an option? www.mute-tube.com/en/

[@tomf8627]

Great video! I'm looking for a practice mute that has more of a buzzy, harmon-like sound without the back pressure a Harmon provides. Any suggestions?

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

I'd def look at the Divitt practice mute then.

[@tomf8627]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic Thanks! How does that one compare to the Best Brass Warm-up Nano? I figure I can afford either just a Divitt or a Nano and a Harmon.

[@davidbarbero6212]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic I second the Divitt mute. In tune over the whole register and hardly any back pressure.

[@amphidory7600]

have you any Tuba mute suggestions?

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Hi! Unfortunately I don't know anything at all about tuba mutes, besides that they are large and expensive. I know some companies that I've reviewed also make mutes for tuba, so if they are as good as the trumpet ones, then they are probably great. So if there is a company that I seem particularly impressed by, check to see if they make for low brass.

[@amphidory7600]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic kind of you to reply none the less ... will see if i can DIY one given the cost that you noted

[@carlizzleb7233]

Hey Josh. I've watched so many videos now about different practice mutes. I'm leaning towards splurging on the Upmute, but want to know your opinion on the back pressure. I have a ssshmute and it's a lot more back pressure than I would've hoped. How's the Upmute in that sense? Thanks!

[@JoshRzepkaMusic]

Hi Carlisle, thanks for checking out my videos. I'm not sure that you'll notice that dramatic a difference from the Sshhmute to the Upmute. I think the Upmute has the slight edge, mainly as you get louder/higher. Do you need it to play soft for practice? FOr warming up at gigs? What's the use? There may be some other options that would work.

[@carlizzleb7233]

@@JoshRzepkaMusic I'm just getting back into playing, so nothing professional by any means. More just the love of the instrument and hopefully building enough skill to join some bands. I have two small kids and sometimes can't find time to practice until after they're in bed. I'd sometimes just practice in the car with my Harmon, at night with the sshhmute, or occasionally find time during the day. I just worry about the back pressure messing with my embouchure.