A variety of mutes are available for the trumpet.
Turning down the volume on a musical instrument isn't the same as turning down your stereo. Any trumpeter who lives in an apartment building or shares space with others knows the value of practicing without bothering those around you, and amateur trumpeters are particularly advised to pick up a good quality mute to keep their sound down. Trumpet mutes are available both to "turn down" the volume and to add flair to a piece by creating distinctive sounds and tones that are suited for different styles of music.
Instructions
1. Use a straight mute to muffle your trumpet while changing the sound to a more brassy, nasal tone. Place the mute in the bell so that the thin end of the mute sticks out and the entire mute is held firmly in place by the pieces of cork on the sides. Use a straight mute specifically when playing classical and brass-band music. Choose an aluminum straight mute for playing a bright, orchestral sound, and a plaster or plastic version for playing warmer tones better suited for big-band music.
2. Purchase a cup mute to get the similar sound of the straight mute with a softer tone and less range of frequency. A cup mute uses a small cup on its thin end to reflect the sound back into the bell of the trumpet, producing a warmer tone that is preferable for jazz and big-band music. Choose a cup mute with an adjustable cup in order to maintain slight control and vary the sound.
3. Perform using a Harmon mute in order to develop a shrill sound that is ideal for high-pitched jazz. The Harmon mute has two parts, making it distinct from other mutes and allowing more control over the sound of the trumpet than single-piece styles. Place the large part of the mute in the bell end of the trumpet and insert the stem end into the bulb, then adjust it to vary the sound. You can also place one hand over the mute in order to create a distinctive wah-wah effect.
4. Muffle your trumpet using a plunger mute, a unique design that requires one hand to hold the bulb over the bell of your trumpet for manually controlling volume. You can create a dramatic or comic wah-wah sound using a plunger mute.
