The criteria for selecting a mute for any brass player are:

• the mute should have good overall intonation
• should be playable in all registers
• should have good response at any dynamic level
• should have a characteristic muted sound

Tom Crown Mutes meet all of these criteria

Trumpet Mutes

Tom Crown straight mutes can be purchased in all aluminum (TA), brass end (TB), copper end (TC), all brass (TBB), and all copper (TCC). Different types of metal definitely affect the mute's tone quality and response, much as different metals used in a bell affect a brass instrument's tone quality and response. It is very difficult to describe what these differences are, however, one person's "dark" is another person's "dead"; another person's "bright" is someone else's "tinny." The TA is bright, the TB less bright, and the TC or TCC are dark. The all copper straight mute is very popular. The TBB works well with David Monette trumpets. Trumpet straight mutes can be purchased with corks adjusted for the C trumpet.

The Tom Crown model A mute is a copy of the Magosy-Buscher Non Pareil straight mute. This was Adolph Herseth's favorite straight mute.

Tom Crown cup mutes can be purchased in all aluminum (TCUP) or all copper (TCCUP). The all copper cup mute has a more mellow sound and has a good response. The intonation is excellent with both mutes.

Tom Crown "wah-wah" mutes can be purchased in all aluminum (TWW) or all copper (TWWC). They are both superior mutes and are used by many leading trumpet players. Both mutes have very good intonation. With the cup-stem assembly removed, as many jazz trumpeters do, all notes down to the low F# on the Bb trumpet respond perfectly.

The Tom Crown practice mute (TPM) has been widely accepted as the best trumpet practice mute. It has excellent intonation in all registers, is very soft and does not have the usual practice mute feel of backing up. It is also ideal for very soft orchestral passages such as the well-known three-trumpet passage in Debussy's "Fêtes".

Piccolo Trumpet Mutes

Tom Crown is the only mute manufacture to offer a complete line of piccolo trumpet mutes.

Tom Crown piccolo trumpet straight mutes can be purchased in all aluminum (PT), copper end (PTC), all copper (PTCC) and all brass (PTBB). The all copper straight mute is the most popular of our piccolo straight mutes.

Tom Crown piccolo trumpet "wah-wah" mutes can be purchased in all aluminum (PTWW) and in all copper (PTWWC). The first piccolo trumpet wa-wa mute was made at Lew Soloff's request.

The Tom Crown piccolo trumpet cup mute (PTCup), is all aluminum. It has been used by inventive composers and performers in chamber ensembles.

The Tom Crown piccolo trumpet practice mute (PTPM) is ideal for practicing at home, before, or during a church service. It has excellent intonation in all registers and is free blowing.

 

Tenor Trombone Mutes

Tom Crown tenor trombone straight mute was developed with the help of trombonists of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The two models are all aluminum (TT) and copper end (TTC). The copper end tenor trombone straight is widely used in symphony orchestras worldwide.

The Tom Crown tenor trombone cup mute is all aluminum (TTCup). The mute has excellent intonation in all registers and has a good cup sound.

 

Bass Trombone Mutes

Tom Crown bass trombone straight mute can be purchased in all aluminum (BT) and copper end (BTC). These mutes are used in most symphony orchestras.