Accessories Saxophone Mutes 101

[Moz]

Ok does anybody have any recommendations for a good saxophone mute? Was looking for a circular diameter one to put into the bell of the horn. And also if you do have experience with a mute can you play with them on gigs if needed. Does the mute effect the quality of the tone or just reduce it to 50% ? Can you get all the notes and effects out ?

Do you want to get a 'mute' sound of some sort like the mute on a trumpet or trombone might give, or are you just trying to play quietly?

If it's the first then I can't think of anything that would do the trick apart from experimenting with your embouchure, if the second then the best way, as had been mentioned, is to learn to play quietly; trust me, it can be done.

 

[Pete Thomas]

. Does the mute effect the quality of the tone or just reduce it to 50% ?

As people say, they affect the tone qualiy, they don't reduce the loudness to 50%.

 

[BUMNOTE]

Agree with daveysaxboy, play loud and proud.Bumnote.

 

[zannad]

Ok does anybody have any recommendations for a good saxophone mute? Was looking for a circular diameter one to put into the bell of the horn. And also if you do have experience with a mute can you play with them on gigs if needed. Does the mute effect the quality of the tone or just reduce it to 50% ? Can you get all the notes and effects out ?

a mute for gigs?! What for? (I dare to ask)
I wouldn't waste money for those ring "mutes" - apparently the only sax mute that does a reasonable job are those white cases from China/Japan: the e-Sax for example or other clones...

 

[Colin the Bear]

Put a sock in the end. It works as good as anything.

 

[zannad]

Put a sock in the end. It works as good as anything.

+1 (better than the foam ring for sure)

I've seen plentiful of similar threads where some are desperately trying to avoid having to shell £££ for the e-Sax or the Sax Partner of whatever they are called (the white case with sound absorbing foam inside).

OK here's a cheap solution (hear hear):
1) buy a closet from the secondhand shop or charity shop nearby - £10-15?
2) buy some 75mm Celotex boards or similar material - you'll need probably 5/6 square meters = 2 boards - £40-£50...
3) stick these boards all around the closet.
4) enter into the closet with your sax
5) blast at full volume...

Do you hear the neighbors punching the wall? No? Job done ...now explain your wife what are you doing inside the closet - and no, you can't take this to a gig.

semi-serious thought: boys this really works...done last winter while renovating my property - no closet, only the celotex boards fixed with aluminum tape...and it keeps warm too.

zannad - free lateral design solutions...

 

[kevgermany]

+1 (better than the foam ring for sure)

I've seen plentiful of similar threads where some are desperately trying to avoid having to shell £££ for the e-Sax or the Sax Partner of whatever they are called (the white case with sound absorbing foam inside).

OK here's a cheap solution (hear hear):
1) buy a closet from the secondhand shop or charity shop nearby - £10-15?
2) buy some 75mm Celotex boards or similar material - you'll need probably 5/6 square meters = 2 boards - £40-£50...
3) stick these boards all around the closet.
4) enter into the closet with your sax
5) blast at full volume...

Do you hear the neighbors punching the wall? No? Job done ...now explain your wife what are you doing inside the closet - and no, you can't take this to a gig.

semi-serious thought: boys this really works...done last winter while renovating my property - no closet, only the celotex boards fixed with aluminum tape...and it keeps warm too.

zannad - free lateral design solutions...

Just make sure you have enough ventilation in there...

 

[jrintaha]

Just make sure you have enough ventilation in there...

The problem with ventilation is that if air escapes the closet, sound will too...

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you play in there long enough the air will warm and it may float away.

 

[kevgermany]

The problem with ventilation is that if air escapes the closet, sound will too...

I'm sure you can make vents that will keep the sound in, it's not that differnt in principle to the exhaust on a car. Add a small fan or two to make sure the air continues to flow...

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm sure you can make vents that will keep the sound in, it's not that differnt in principle to the exhaust on a car. Add a small fan or two to make sure the air continues to flow...

I have a simple DIY vent instructions:

Recording - Home studio soundproofing and DIY acoustic room treatment

How to turn a bedroom or living room into a viable recording space (without costing too much)

cafesaxophone.com

 

[Eastman52st]

yes this was the one I was thinking about purchasing ? does this really work or is he just playing his embrochure quitely when he puts it in ? as other people say on here they do not work ?

 

[kevgermany]

I have a simple DIY vent instructions:

Recording - Home studio soundproofing and DIY acoustic room treatment

How to turn a bedroom or living room into a viable recording space (without costing too much)

cafesaxophone.com

I'd forgotten about that. Thanks!

 

[zannad]

Take it easy guys....
You don't need to silence the room completely...all you need is to keep a good relationships with your neighbors - so, you can leave a few gaps for air on the top... and maybe you can get away with 50mm celotex (instead of 75mm).
Beside, the e-sax I've got doesn't silence the sound completely and my hands get sweaty inside that enclosure after only 15-20 minutes - in fact inside my improvised acoustic cell I could stay for hours without any problem; still I need to point out that the area was about 2.5-3 square meters and 2.4m tall (so, a lot bigger than a normal closet).
The "acoustic closet" get too sweaty? Get out for a few minutes and get a quick cuppa...(same as with the e-sax really) only you don't have to lock your harm inside a limiting space (very uncomfortable sometimes).
I don't have the acoustic celotex cell anymore (it was a temporary move)....but I need to point out that at the same time I had the e-sax gathering dust in the loft (enough said).

 

[Ivan]

From Recording - Home studio soundproofing and DIY acoustic room treatment

...ideally double glazed and set so that they are not exactly parallel in order to cut down resonance...

With my DIY skills I reckon I'd be a natural at glazing practice rooms

 

[Colin the Bear]

Perhaps a doughnut would work?

 

[Ads]

Or a rubber Dog chew ring ? . Throwing ring for Baris

 

[photoman]

Perhaps a doughnut would work?

I think where I'm going wrong is eating a doughnut while trying to play the Sax. Mind you, it does soften the screeches somewhat. But then, I'm having to use Mr Muscle (I'm lucky that he lives nearby) to clean out the mouthpiece.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Seriously though, I might have a go at making one for use when recording. I'm always disappointed how squeaky my recordings sound.

 

[jbtsax]

Seriously? Who are you and what have you done with my friend Colin? 🙂