Mastering the Trumpet With Cup Mute for Better Tone
If you've ever heard a jazz ballad and wondered how the player got that soft, slightly nasal, and warm sound, they were likely playing their trumpet with cup mute. It's one of those essential pieces of gear that every player eventually throws into their gig bag, right next to the valve oil and the spare mouthpieces. While the straight mute gets a lot of the spotlight for orchestral fanfares, the cup mute is the real workhorse for anyone playing in a big band or a small jazz combo. ...