How to Make Trumpet Mutes

Most professional trumpet mutes are made out of metal and carefully shaped to fit perfectly inside the bell of the trumpet. In a pinch, however, you can make trumpet mutes out of plastic bottles and other household items to lower the volume and shape the tone of your trumpet.

Things You'll Need

• Bottle
• Scissors
• Knife
• Weatherstripping
• Tape

Instructions

1. Find a 1-liter soda bottle or other plastic bottle to form the mute. It should fit fairly snugly in the bell of your trumpet.

2. Cut off the top off of the bottle about 3 to 5 inches from the top of the cap. The further down the opening is, the less muting you will get and the more open the trumpet will sound.

3. Decide where to cut off the bottom of the bottle. If you want an open, bright sound similar to a straight mute, cut off the bottom half of the bottle where the label starts to get a small cone. For a more muffled sound, like a cup mute, cut off the very bottom of the bottle.

4. Attach self-adhesive weatherstripping in a circle around the top of the bottle. Push the mute into the trumpet. The weatherstripping should hold it in place. If you don't have weatherstripping, wrap several strips of duct tape or electrical tape around the bottle. Keep building up more duct tape until the layer is thick and spongy enough to hold the mute in the trumpet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also make a mute with a Renuzit brand air-freshener bottle because it has just the right shape.

Resources

• Air Freshener Mute