The new Tom Crown practice mutes ...

... endorsed by Gabriele Cassone

Tom Crown Mutes is adding two new mutes to its extensive line of metal trumpet mutes: a trumpet practice mute for Bb, C, or D trumpet, and a piccolo trumpet practice mute. These mutes, the company tells us, are also ideal for very soft muted orchestral or solo passages.

Tom Crown’s press release continues: “The new Tom Crown practice mutes, compared with other practice mutes, are very free blowing and very, very soft. This, plus excellent intonation, make them a great addition to the trumpet player's tools. Need to practice some more before the performance tomorrow? Going to an audition? It's late and you don't want to bother the neighbors? Worried about warming up in church before that B Minor Mass? Here is the ideal solution. The Tom Crown trumpet and piccolo trumpet practice mutes are perfect for any quiet, practice setting or for muted orchestral or solo passages that must be played softer than pianissimo.

“John Hagstrom, a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpet section and Gabriele Cassone, leading Italian trumpet virtuoso, have both endorsed the mutes. John says: ‘I have had the good fortune to test Tom Crown's new practice mutes for the trumpet and the piccolo trumpet. They both offer a responsiveness and evenness of resistance that is as good as any practice mute that I have tried. The best feature, however, is the excellent intonation in all registers. If you have had difficulties finding a practice mute that does not distort your trumpet's characteristics to the extreme, these mutes are the perfect answer. I will look forward to using them both regularly!’ Gabriele says: ‘Una sordina ideale per passaggi orchestrale pianissimo ma che devono avere brilliantezza di suono’. Translation: ‘An ideal mute for pianissimo orchestral passages that also must have a brilliance of sound.’”

Tom Crown mutes are distributed by Conn-Selmer-Bach and other distributors. The practice mutes will soon be available at local retail music stores.

In addition, Tom Crown is launching a new cleaning tool, the “Slobber Swabber”. This is a pull-through with a weighted end leading to a cord, then a tapered felt-like cleaning area: the company recommends its use for the leadpipe and tuning slide after playing.

Website:
Tom Crown Mutes