DIY Saxophone Mutes

A mute adds more tone color options to your saxophone playing.

Advanced saxophone literature sometimes calls for a mute. Contrary to the implication of the name, the mute does not change the volume of the instrument so much as the tone quality. The mute makes some notes easier to control at soft dynamic levels, especially in the higher registers. However, it must be used with care because it will cause the low pitches on the saxophone to go flat. There are a few ways to mute a saxophone, but the best one is the Marcel Mule mute. Fortunately, this kind of mute is also quite easy to make yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden drapery ring
• Velvet ribbon
• Thread
• Needle
• Sandpaper, if necessary

Instructions

1. Take any metal or plastic parts off of the drapery ring, if there are any. If the wood has any rough patches, sand them until the ring is smooth and free of bumps.

2. Remove the velvet ribbon from the spool by re-winding it into a small coil. The coil should fit through the inside of the drapery ring.

3. Hold the end of the ribbon velvet side facing out on the inside of the drapery ring with your thumb. With your other hand, wind the ribbon around the outside of the ring until it overlaps the original point of contact by half.

4. Wrap the ribbon around the ring, overlapping each wrap by half, until the entire ring is covered in ribbon. Continue to wrap until you have gone around the ring twice. Hold the ribbon tight so it does not unravel.

5. Check the size of the mute in your bell. If it sinks too low in the bell, wrap another layer until you are satisfied with the fit.

6. Sew the end of the ribbon to the layers under it, using your favorite stitch. Knot the thread so it will not come unfastened and cut the tail of the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the ring is wrapped completely and there are no sharp parts that will come in contact with your bell, as anything hard or sharp will scratch your lacquer.

References

• "The Art of Saxophone Playing"; Larry Teal; 1963