Skip to main content
0

Home Alt › Forums › General Questions › Sax mute … DIY

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • September 11, 2015 at 9:43 am #25112
    Anonymous

      that looks cool – i might make one out of a toilet plunger, cut a hole in the bottom & fit it upside down in the bell!

      September 11, 2015 at 10:14 am #25113
      john
      Keymaster

        I’ve noticed that these type of sax mutes work much better on alto than tenor because of the horn size.

        September 11, 2015 at 1:29 pm #25120
        Marc
        Participant

          James, I see what you mean… there are plenty of them in the market, those that clearly resemble a toilet plunger made of aluminum with a band of felt on the side.
          metal sax mute

          Metal is not the best (and I think it’s the worst) soundwave attenuator. That’s why I made it of cloths… If you manage to do one from a rubber plunger, it’ll surely work better. And much more if wrapped with soft cloths. Be well aware that the central hole must not be too small or the airflow will be so restrained, it won’t sound at all.

          Johnny, the lower the frequency, the larger the soundwaves, so they’re more difficult to attenuate or guide. Car boomers are heard even before the vehicle appears on sight, yet the street is fill with lo-freq soundwaves. On the other end of the spectrum, higher notes are relatively easy to dampen with foam, carpets, couches, cushions and even hanging clothes in an open vestier

          September 11, 2015 at 2:38 pm #25121
          Anonymous

            thanks for the info Marc – that’s one of the things i like about JF’s site – I only come here to buy great backing tracks, get JF’s courses that are 2nd to none, and pickup any tips from members that will help me with my playing or help with my instrument!

            September 12, 2015 at 12:51 pm #25146
            Anonymous

              Well i cut a hole in the bottom of a rubber plunger, put it inside my alto, and the volume was the same, the lower Bb would only play as a lower A instead of a lower Bb, so much for people on you tube saying the lower Bb key wouldn’t work at all.

              Anyway so i scrapped that idea , cut half of it off, and created a massive hole, basically ended up with a rubber ring about half an inch wide, shoved that in the bell and produced a nice warm sound. lol

              i think your mute is better.

              i did think of opening the wardrobe door and playing inside the wardrobe, but that would be eerie – won’t go there, would be like a little man singing inside a mans mouth

              September 12, 2015 at 2:54 pm #25147
              Marc
              Participant

                Hey, you can always wrap your rubber ring with some soft cloths (an old thick cotton winter shirt could provide the material) and that will surely improve its acoustic characteristics.
                I don’t fit inside my wardrobe LOL, but when I’m not alone at home, I use to play standing at the open door with the horn pointing inside. That and keeping the bedroom door closed really mutes the sound a lot, at least for the rest of the people in the house.

                March 9, 2020 at 3:58 pm #92072
                Joseph Dipasquale
                Participant

                  Thanks I have been experimenting too…and the same difficulty with the lowest notes..but hey you can practice without worry…there is rubber ring that is available on Amazon..I ordered it today…I think I’ll try wrapping it with different materials and you suggested…I love the dark tone I have been getting on my Tenor and Alto saxes…with the many things I have tried..thanks again, gypsyjoe..

                • Author
                  Posts
                Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                Close Menu