How to make a trumpet mute out of a renuzit air freshener

[Siktoroth]

I don't even care about the mute at this point because I've made it already but thank you for your services :)

[MrJIMBOB57]

Thanks for this info/demo...years ago, I made 2 euphonium mutes out of traffic cones for the Persichetti Symphony, which called for muted euphonium and tuba...used rubberized bulletin board material for corks, and cardboard for the ends...they worked quite well!...it's not about pretty, but rather about being creative and making something that works just as well...Thank you for your service!

[mmmmmhotdogs]

The uniform made me respect this little project a lot more haha. Before this I tried fashioning a mute out of a cork from a big patron bottle. Fail.

[ThePokemonmaster119]

DATS WAT SHE SED!!! PRESS 4 LOL

[alerian5]

What does it do to your tuning?

[ItachiUchiha2010]

You just saved me $60

[Mrshotshell]

the weather striping i used fucked up the lacquer on the inside of my bell 

[nancylove154]

I don't play brass, so this is going to be a dumb question. But in what occasion would you need a mute like that? I think it's wicked cool that you can make it like that! :)

[LookeAnthony]

@nancylove154 For practice; keeping it quiet for other people.

[Smilly0467]

cool

[mrpepsidrink]

okay please answer the question. How do I get all the stuff out? I really dont wanna use the actual product, but I dont know how to get all the freshener out cleanly. and which one is easier to clean up? the odor eliminator or the aroma freshner?

[themeleed]

where do people buy the black thing you have around the valves? Been looking into getting that for a while. And great video, I might try making one.

[THEGABOMR]

@ARMYstrong419 Could you make a trombone version please?

[singingforjesus98]

Do you have to use the weather stripping?

[BenDoverPls]

@singingforjesus98

Self adhesive cork works well also.

Anything that is soft enough not to damage the instrument, but grippy enough to hold it in place.

[TheCincyBrass]

Thank you! I made one today! - From a band director in Kentucky!

[guybenamou]

That's awsome! Too bad I live in israel and we can't get that air fresher.

[ThatTumpetGuy]

just wondering, hows the backpressure on your mute? does it feel kinda stuffy to play in the upper register?

[medomuffen]

most useful video ever. wow. my vacation to florida will be even better now

[Noahistick]

great diy, it's simple and effective.

[cooldude19971985]

what size drill bit do you recomend? i have some type of roth renyolds trumpet

[SirTrumpalot]

Very Very creative and clever! I think I will actually try this! I have a bach Strad too, so I guess I'll ghetto it too

[johnmorisi8]

wow i wish i had a drill up at college... cause i have no where to practice my trumpet, and i really wanna make one of these

[SuperWilyum]

A very good I idea! I just made one and it was easy to do and the finished product looks good. Does not look like a battlefield fix! Gorilla Glue works well to stick it together, just use a lttle dab. I am a beginning student and appreciate saving a few bucks. Best, Wilyum

[aperkausn]

I made one of these today, my only beef is that I have some trouble hitting the lower register and being in tune. I used an old bike inner tube to secure the mute in the bell, I cut cross sections of the tube and stretched them over the top. Maybe this method is screwing with the pitches. Anyways, great post and this now allows me to play in my dorm room without being murdered. =)

[iharland]

@bmsnook

The point of a silent brass is to let no air past the mute without going through it. If you were to put the cork lengthwise on the mute, you would make a straight mute. Which would still work, but I highly doubt a director would be happy to see an air freshener in your bell during a performance. To use cork, you would have to put them parallel to the top/bottom of the mute, which would take ALOT of cork, and still not guarantee a perfect seal for silence. But by all means, try anyways.

[mrschroeder1986]

Thanks you for the video - you're saving me a butt load of money! Also, thanks for serving!

[scruggmrproductions]

I would not put that in my Bach Strad! Just saying haha

[angelafettig]

Thanks! Very helpful and easy and saves money. I just made one. But by far the best part is at 34 seconds where he sets the mute down and it looks like it's going to fall but it doesn't. Talk about being on the edge of your seat. P.S. If you don't include the little thing with the drilled hole that you glue in, then there's less back pressure and it's not as sharp and only a little bit louder - but I suppose as quiet as possible is the real goal here.

[ry56789]

the weather stripping made the iinside of my bell sticky :(

[arpoky]

Very smart guy! He is in the Army and plays the trumpet!

[HardcoreZach]

thank you! this helped me alot!

[leoalpiano]

EXCELENT VIDEO! where do you buy the black ribbon 0:52? I don´t have idea in mexico city about this material. help me please, I´ve the renuzit but cannot hold the mute in my trumpet

[bmsnook]

@leoalpiano If you can't find rolls of foam weatherstrip material (used to seal the edges of windows and doors to keep conditioned (heated/cooled) air inside a house, perhaps you could use cork? My straight mute uses 3 pieces of cork (corcho) glued length-wise on the mute to wedge in the bell of my trumpet. I wonder if cutting strips of cork from wine-bottle corks and gluing them to a home-made mute might work as well? A sharp knife or chisel (and lots of care) might help split the cork.

[PhantomsAlive34]

Almost got a strad...ended up getting a xeno instead but the mute works great

[melza3]

Thanks for posting, It works great and was easy to make.

[JoeyOhm]

intelligent. I will use this. I tried using wax coated coffee cup, the lid and TP, a pencil hole -but used tape instead..kinda worked..but will try the air freshner mod. as those sit around office doing little even for funk..thanks, an for serving.

[mattio79]

if you drill it out to the same diameter as the inner part of the tube, it doesn't make it any louder, and it lessens the resistance. i have made 2 like that and my daughter plays it on her cornet.

[GuitarMunk]

thanks dude know I can practice with out bugging the crap out of everyone

maybe I do want to bug them

[guitarman63mm]

By the way, instead of that weatherstripping, tightly wrapped electrical tape works just as well, although I think it brings it a bit sharper. I passed on filling it with anything inside, what little it dampened the sound made it a half step even more sharp!

[guitarman63mm]

You don't need to 'scoop' it out, if it's new, just flip it upside down and squeeze that clear base. It just slides right off, and you can still use it.

[MrKuorn]

Thanks! Not sure, that I will find something like that refresher in Ukraine, but I've got idea!

[jamalb1993sbcglobal]

hmm

[theMickBrittle]

for your mute, is it okay to play it with out toilet paper?

[krozareq]

Amazing mute when made correctly. Great vid.

[ibowtoyou]

my teacher said that using this mute or any other silent mute can mess up your chops

[gutjahrmusic]

@ibowtoyou If you practice exclusively in a practice mute or silent brass it will indeed mess you up. However you can do a fair bit of practicing with it.

Tone production, range, tonguing, long pieces should probably be played open so you don't change back pressure and you can hear your sound.

But you can get a lot of work done in a practice mute. Particularly scales, arpeggios, patterns and clarke's

[MrJIMBOB57]

@ibowtoyou ...that is only if you play exclusively on the mute (been there, done that-but with a Spivak mute-I learned!), and never play open...this is for temporary use only, and not really meant for regular practice, but when you need to play and not bother anyone, something like this is essential!

[JFMello1116]

Aaaand... it still throws the pitch up a whole step. Suggestions?

[misteramerica112]

the hole you drilled is probably not of sufficient size.

[JFMello1116]

The hole is 1/4 inch in diameter.

For those who are having the same problem, the part about removing the gel is in fact very important.

[JFMello1116]

OH!!! I built it wrong and was wondering why it was throwing my pitch off a whole step; I built it wrong! Thanks for the visual!

[leoalpiano]

What type of fabric is the one you use to hold and will not fall?

where they sell the black ribbon as a sponge? and how far is it?

THANKS, EXCELLENT INGENUITY! GREETINGS (excuse my English)

[ARMYstrong419]

@kusayshey Yeah, Wal-Mart has it, I actually bought mine at Home Depot I think.

[a7xfan1230]

what drill bit since would you recommend using ?

[ARMYstrong419]

@a7xfan1230

1/4" works best I think. Certainly not larger, you can go down to 1/8", or anywhere in between.

[DancingSpiderman]

Excellent practice mute; it didn't change the pitch of the horn at all ! I guess I have the same Q as everybody else -- is there a considerable amount of back pressure that you are having to play against? I would think NOT, being that the pitch of the horn did not change any.

BTW, I replaced the tissues with my Spankercheif... it muffels the sound more.

I decided to make a bathroom version of the renuzit mute... leave some of that deoderant chemical in the mute, for stinky moments

[MrJIMBOB57]

@DancingSpiderman ... actually, if you do it correctly, warming up with some resistance like with this 'silent' mute 'wakes up ' the breath support and gets one ready for a rehearsal, gig, or whatever...I used the cloth mute with three rings (it comes with 4 foam rings) in it to warm up before lots of things, and when I finished my routine (which was attacks) was ready to play! The guys would tease me about my warmup, but never complained about how I played...

[DancingSpiderman]

@MrJIMBOB57 Yes, I remember from my trumpet playing days that a practice silent mute helps not only to quiet the sound volume, but more importantly, helps improve breath support which is often overlooked in the student level practice.

[DancingSpiderman]

One year ago, I made a really good working volume dampening trumpet mute, only because I was curious and had a little time on my hands; I used two plastic 44 oz cups from a QuikTrip convenience store. Works on the same principal as a inner double walled car muffler. I impressed myself. I should make a YourTube vid of it, but I'm purty lazy

[visoniksubs]

Where people buy everything Wal-Mart

[jeffcasey1957]

i have the same case but its blue

[voteyesplease]

GO ARMY

[guitarhero31333]

im sorry, not to offend you or anything, but I think its kinda funny your using a ghettoly made mute with a Bach Stradavarious

[ARMYstrong419]

@guitarhero31333 Perhaps I spent all my money on the strad and now can't afford the silent brass lol

[CornetHornet]

great post just!

I was just wondering how much the mute changes the back pressure you feel in the instrument. The silent brass is fairly free blowing but is this mute of yours giving more resistance or less?

cheers =)

[ARMYstrong419]

@CornetHornet It gives you a little more resistance, like any mute. If you make sure to take big full breaths and blow with abandon it's noticeable, but doesn't really affect me. The thing is it's tempting to play with less air since it's already so quiet.

[berimbaulr]

Thanks for posting this. My son is just beginning to play trumpet. We live in an apartment... so this is a great way to enable him to practice more without investing a lot of money in order to placate the neighbors! Thanks again.

[xEsper00]

How's the back pressure on that Renuzit air freshener mute?

[elizasaurous93]

couldnt you keep the thing at 2:09 as a slide and use it as a harmon?

[48OMacbethC84]

hey nice mute you made

can you tell me where to buy a trumpet like yours?

[tinymorty]

Stradivarius =) i have that too xD

[varscht]

I bought the vanilla one and saved the goop. Smells good too!

[SPACEMANBRIGHTSIDE]

do you need weather striping?

[Shobecool]

if you leave the plug out, and take out the tissue, it sounds like a pretty damn decent harmon!

[fishingtrumpet]

I go to WCU and are trumpet studio made the mutes in class. I like to play with the stem out. For me it feels more free blowing.

[Ebilgc]

0:41 Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!

[bimmerfun]

I just made 6 of these things...They REALLY work...and they REALLY ARE easy to make...

Use a VISE to drill the hole...Don't try it without one.

Use a SHARP bit that is 1/4" or less...I tried to use a 1/2" bit , and it shattered the stem.

Make sure you have somewhere to put the GOOP BEFORE you remove it!!!

One other tip...If the Renuzit is slightly chilled BEFORE you begin, the goop comes out in ONE PIECE!!!

[emryld2]

Thank you! Thank you! I've been looking for a non-expensive practice mute and this works wonderfully! Thanks again and also thank you for your service to our country! We need more people like you!

[coolieboy478]

Great work officer, great work, amazing improvisation, gracias man, ah love it...

[BreeAnneAh]

Thank you, thank you! I"m going to try to make one for my marching baritone. Do you think it will work?

[paulwashingt0n]

This is one of the most immediately useful youtubes I've ever seen. Thanks!

[stricklandmr]

My wife has been naggin me about my loud trumpet, dude, you saved me. Thanks bro.

[woodfluter]

Super idea - heard about it before but the video is the clincher. Off to buy the stuff to make one for my cornet.

And echoing others, thank you sir for your courage and service. No matter our varied views on the wisdom of certain leaders and campaigns, we admire you and wish for your safe return.

[beforeyouwrite]

awesome improvising (pun intended)

might just try adapting it for trombone...

[onikamayds]

This is a neat little trick. Have you ever tried to make a different mute? Possibly one similar to a bucket mute? I already have a silent mute for my trumpet and one for my flugelhorn. But all-in-all this is useful information for any trumpet player.

[UpcomingJedi]

This is such a great idea, I had to try it but I used 1/4" wide strip of 3/16" cork right on the 'top' of it fitted with contact cement (pull it taught and don't let it slide off ). Throw away that top you popped off into the recycle bin and you don't have to drill a hole as the bottom one is plenty large. Cover the cork strip and sand it a little if you want to apply a paint job as its too slick to hold paint and spray away.

[1964Connstellation]

First off Lieutenant, thank you for your service to our country. We are all proud of you and indebted to you.

Secondly, this is a great video! Thanks! I just paid $30 for a Brass Spa mute that is essentially what you built for $2. I'll definitely try building one like yours for my other horn.

Be well and stay safe, and thanks again.

[llamont123]

First off, thank you for your service in protecting our Country. You are greatly appreciated.

Secondly, great "how to" video. Very clever idea and application. I just may have to try this.

[trumpetmariachi75]

nice... I like it and ur Vicent Bach too.

Thnk you.

[littlfay]

Nice trumpet, i play a bach windy city strad

[Altissimo15]

my Pro Tools teacher as this mute, its really small and its almost silent. i forgot what the name is but its really cool

[flappybob79]

Awesome!! I have a Stradivarius too. I have played a lot of trumpets, but to me the Strad has the most beautiful trumpet sound

[zarapico]

That's a great field-expedient way of making a mute. Lord knows they don't work for what they are meant for...My g/f is always impressed at all of the Army tricks and things we devise there. Incidentally, can you honestly tell me how long it would take to learn to play the trumpet, I already play other instruments and read music.

[ARMYstrong419]

if you start taking lessons with a good teacher (a good teacher doesn't have to be expensive, just someone who is good a teaching others to do what they do), you will develop the technical facility quickly if you practice a lot, but building the muscles in your lips will take about 6 months before you can sound good. inside a month or two you will sound fine, but not what i'd call good

[zarapico]

Thank you, I will take that into consideration, I don't have a trumpet yet, mainly because I haven't decided between trumpet and flute. I served for 8 years, and once tried joining the Army Band where I was, but there was never a spot for guitar, oh well, so I continued being a medic, and then became an interrogator, and then got out, those were the days! Regards

[satranifan]

I'm not saying you can't do it...but uh military bands are actually cream of the crop in the band world...look up military bands, they will blow you away

[mattdammit]

I get the same tone by shoving an old sock in the bell.

[strawder11]

I made this and it works excellent. I did notice that there can be too much stuffing and it does kinda change the pitch but otherwise amazing! thanks very much!

[UpcomingJedi]

Cool, but are you playing full volume with the renuzit or are you playing softly as well?

[ARMYstrong419]

that's playing about a mf with the mute in, and p without it. i can demonstrate playing softly with it and playing as loud as possible. still not very loud no matter what! playing really loud the tone goes out the window though. that may require a short follow-up vid

[babiibrii14]

dats amazing

brii

[futurecav2008]

Thanks! i've been playing 6 year. with 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother i find it hard to practice much. I made it just now and it helps a lot!!! thanks once again.

[futurecav2008]

*years* sorry for my grammar lol

[sunnysheri]

wow... that is so cool... i am in the 6th grade andand i just started and my band teacher says i am doing good... i try my best and i have learned that it does take a lot of practice...!

[ZackyG15]

great video

[Livvums]

Holy crap. That's amazing. How on earth did you come up with that idea?!

Also, you've got a good trumpet :) I too play a back strad. It is my baby.

I think I'm going to have to try this!

[WAKeele]

People have been doing this for years. I had a friend make a mute like this about 8 years ago. They work pretty well considering, but I'd go with a Brass Spa practice mute. They are REALLY open in the lower register and the intonation is really good too.

[ARMYstrong419]

i'd go with the silent brass system if i wanted to spend the money. for the total cost of $2 for making this i am better off than spending over $100 on silent brass

[Wizeman3131]

I think I went to a band camp at Sam Houston State University and you were the trumpet teacher. Because he has the same "Mute"

[thetalesendiDOL]

awsome. finally a good silent way to practice

[lMsoCOOL]

wow that's awesome!

anyway, how long have u been playing the trumpet for?

i've just started, and i totally suck.

but i will persist!

[ARMYstrong419]

I have been playing since the 7th grade. I continued to play through college. I also taught trumpet lessons. I didn't sound any good until 9th grade, so you've got the right attitude keep playing!

[Screch]

That's like exactly how I am- except I've been playing since 5th grade, but I had shitty ass teachers from 5th - 8th grade

[carmelo1966]

Thank you soldier. HOHAA!!

[ARMYstrong419]

Any time! Actually it's Hooah! But you were a lot closer than the ones that say hoorah, which is Marine Corps.

[pancho597037]

dude, nice job btw, where do you get that tape??

[Nrichjazz]

hey man, that is great! I gave my silent brass to one of my students a while ago, have not had the money to get a new one, i am going to have to try this today!

[441842]

haha thats awesome! but, maybe its jus me being suspicious, but dont you get a huuuge reverberation? id expect loads of air flowing back and making it difficult to play... but still, awesome trick nd ill def give it a try!

[N7DFY]

You've saved me! Live in an apartment and need to practice. I have a Renuzit in my other room. I'm going to get right on this. TNX.

Saw that uniform. Thank you for your service.

Stay safe.

[TGracia93]

kool! i just made mine. it's awesome!

[DiVeronica]

cool video! nice Strad! ty for your service!

[linkmaster03]

Very cool. :D

[jazzgator5678]

awesome