Tuba Mutes

[Name_Plate]

I was window shopping again and saw that there is tuba mutes for sale. Never heard of them before but what pieces are they used on and why are the used? I am now pretty curious about them but considering Ive never heard of them before, they are probably a pretty niche thing.

[Mark]

Some band and orchestral works ask for a mute. There are also a few solos and small ensemble works that ask for a mute.

[Mark]

You can see me inserting a mute into my tuba in this video:

https://youtu.be/LQbBB5ZfXdA

At about 3:50.

[matt g]

Tuba mutes seem to be largely ineffective. At least that’s my opinion and primarily based on owning one of those old R&S all plastic mutes with the adjustable pegs.

If I wanted a “muted” sound, I often found a well placed music folder, like a “hat”, nearly as effective.

[LeMark]

The problem with mutes is two things

1. They have to fit the instrument properly, which is rare with all the different tapers of tuba bells

2. Mutes don't really make the tuba much softer, they change the timbre. Plastic mutes don't give that, neither do fiber mutes. The best mutes are the spun aluminum ones. Get a good mutes paired with the right horn, and they can be quite enjoyable to play with. My piggy with the large H&B aluminum mute was a great experience. The same mute with my 601 is pretty terrible

[Mark]

Mutes don't really make the tuba much softer, they change the timbre.

Yes. Mute is a bad name. Most composers, when calling fore a mute, are not looking for soft, they are looking for a change of timbre.

[Doc]

I was window shopping again and saw that there is tuba mutes for sale. Never heard of them before but what pieces are they used on and why are the used? I am now pretty curious about them but considering Ive never heard of them before, they are probably a pretty niche thing.

They are occasionally required in band and orchestral music. I had to acquire another one recently:

[Mark]

So far, re COVID, I have been required to use a bell cover everywhere I have played. And, so far, none of the works have called for a mute. This may be the only positive to COVID. Dear conductor, I cannot insert a mute without removing the bell cover and I cannot remove the bell cover because everyone might die. Ergo, no mute!