Essential Mutes
For brass players, there are quite a few mutes to choose from depending on what instrument you play. Some of them are a necessity to own if you want to be prepared for most playing situations, some of them are useful in particular situations, and others are almost entirely a novelty.
Mutes are typically things you put in your bell that change the sound of the instrument. Some of them clip on to the outside of your bell, but it’s commonly stated that the term mute comes from the fact that you put them in the bell of your instrument.
Trumpet
For trumpet, here are some of the most common mutes:
Straight - These are common in most genres, although they are not used as often in jazz settings as they are in wind ensembles and orchestras. A common one for many trumpet players to own is the Tom Crown model. It’s recommended that whatever straight mute you buy, you get a metal one and not any other material.
Cup - More common in jazz settings than anywhere else, they’re regularly used in most ensembles. A common one for people to own is the Humes and Berg Stonelined model.
Harmon - Used a lot in jazz settings and not so much anywhere else, the name “Harmon” is actually trademarked, so many companies will call this either a “wah-wah” mute or some other name similar to that. The one I personally recommend and see a lot is the Jo-Ral Bubble mute.
Plunger - Originating from a sink plunger, the one I recommend people buy is this one.
Bucket - Perhaps the least frequently used mute on this list (and many people will use a flugelhorn in place of it since it’s primarily used in jazz contexts), the one I recommend people buy is the Humes and Berg clip-on model.
Other notable mentions would be pixie mutes, practice mutes, and the derby mute.
Trombone
The most common mutes for trombone differ a bit than the most common ones for trumpet. Also, for every mute - except for plunger mutes - you will have to buy a separate size if you want a mute that fits a bass trombone. For trombone (tenor and bass), your most common mutes are this:
Straight - Just like with trumpet, it’s recommended to get a metal one. The Tom Crown model is a good option to go with here, but the Jo-Ral option seems to be more common.
Cup - A lot of people go with either Humes & Berg or Denis Wick.
Plunger - Based off of a toilet plunger, anything will do just fine. If you want a magnetic one that can stick to a music stand, here’s one.
Bucket - Similarly to trumpets, these are used primarily in jazz; I’m lazy and haven’t bought a legit bucket mute yet. I own an alternative known as a Softone mute.
Harmon - Unlike with trumpets, these are virtually never used, so it’s not too important that you buy one until it’s called for.
The only notable mention I’m aware of for trombones are practice mutes.
Euphonium/Tuba
For euphonium and tuba, the only mutes I’m aware of are practice and straight mutes. I’ve never heard of anything else besides those.
French Horn
As I routinely say, french horn is the instrument I have the least amount of experience with. My understanding is that the 3 mutes that are available for French Horn are practice, stopped, and straight mutes. Technically, straight mutes are the only necessary one to get, but stopped mutes might be next to a necessity for very particular playing situations.
When I was looking online for different French Horn mutes, I came across a harmon and cup mute made for the instrument (both manufactured by Marcus Bonna). I don’t know how long these have been around and what other companies make them, but my guess is that they’re not commonly called for.
If there are any other mutes I’m forgetting about, feel free to let me know.
