Video: Tuba and Euphonium Mutes

In a follow up to an article I did several months ago on brass instrument mutes I am happy to provide some information and a link to a video on tuba and baritone mutes.

Most people don't even realize that the larger brass instruments such as the tuba and euphonium all have their own special kind of mutes. We are used to seeing the smaller, fist sized mutes sticking out of trumpets or trombones, but there are mutes made for the larger instruments as well. Although not used very often, and normally only in music intended for more advanced or professional ensembles, straight mutes for the tuba and euphonium are much more common than one might expect.

Mutes of this size do not fit into one's pocket. A tuba mute is usually only half the size of the tuba it is used with. The euphonium mute is equally difficult to move around, but both are constructed in the same basic way as the more common trumpet and trombone mutes. These larger mutes can be made of many different materials from wood to fiberglass to metal. In a video at banddirector.com professional tuba plaer and tuba mute maker Ron Apperson provides an interesting and educational look at these mammoth mutes, their uses, and their handling.