Accessories Saxophone Mutes 101

[Tad Stevens]

I don't doubt these things work but damn do they look absolutely ridiculous. It'd be like if a flute player realized that putting an inflated balloon over the end of the head joint instead of a cap made a better sound. It might sound a little better, sure, but is it worthit?

 

[jbtsax]

It is certainly worth it if one is striving for a dark round classical tone. The mute sits low enough inside the bell that it is not visible to the audience anyway. I used one all through college including my master's recital. If I get the time, I will put up a recording using the mute to demonstrate the sound produced.