Relentless and continuous day-to-day practice is one of the ways of mastering the playing techniques of any musical instrument. However, the sounds of some musical instrument are so loud that they hinder many players from practicing in the comfort of their homes. Musical instruments like trumpets, French horns, and others are characterized with their usual loud sound.
As such, there is a need for a device that has the capability of reducing the level of sound and at the same time retaining the sound quality. The purpose of a French horn mute is to reduce the sound of the musical instrument while playing in the company of others or during solo practice in the comfort of your room.
What are the Best French Horn Mutes to Buy?
2) Tom Crown 30FH – Brass French Horn Transposing Mute
- Transport conveniently
- Unique lovely sound
- Nice thick layer of cork at the bottom part
- Professionally crafted mute
1) Yamaha SB3XC Silent Brass System for French Horn
- Dramatic sound reduction
- Natural playing feel
- Stunning, engaging, satisfying sound
- Smaller weight design
3) Denis Wick DW5524 Straight Mute for French Horn
- Made from hand-spun aluminum
- Have brilliance and carry power
- Offers great tone and balance
It is worth noting that there are certain types of horn mutes that allow players to perform effectively while playing in concert. They are designed to offer great and excellent sounds.
Buying a perfect mute requires exposure to some kinds of information about the device. This will help the buyer choose the right mute that will work perfectly with their French horn and performs optimally. Before going into the reviews of the best french horn mutes in the market, let’s go through the type of French horn mutes available.
- Straight Mute
Straight mutes are well-known type of mute therefore; they do not require elaborate explanation. There is no replacement for this kind of mute in music. Straight mutes made of wood while some are made of metal. Apart from that, they are usually shaped like a cone. Majority of the straight mute comes with a wrist strap. It is advised that you hang the straight mute on your right wrist prior to starting a piece that requires it.
- Practice Mute
This is another type of mute that is of great importance. Practice mute is not meant to be used in concert hence the name, practice mute. It is solely designed for practice, making your sound low to a level that it becomes inaudible to your nearest neighbors. The practice mute is the type of mute to buy for constant practice day and night.
- Stopping Mute
Often made of metal, stopping mutes are pear-shaped mutes that have the ability to reduce the sound of your French mute to the lowest possible level. It gives you the same result you get when you completely close off the bell with your right hand. This method is generally preferred over the majority of mutes.
It is worth noting that this will make the note to jump up to a half-step, in responding to this, you should finger down a half-step. If you discover that the tone jumps down a half-step when hand-stopping, this is as a result of closing the bell completely. Players must make sure that there are no spaces or gaps between their fingers. Though, there is a possibility of accidental gaps between the index finger and thumb.
Why do you need a French Horn Mute?
The usefulness of a horn mute cannot be overemphasized. Apart from the fact that it helps a young player to practice without disturbing anybody, it is also useful for intermediate players who are always aiming for the best. Professional players are not left out. There are some mutes designed to give a high-quality tone for awesome solo as well as concert performance. You need to consider getting a horn mute because of the following compelling reasons:
- It enables learners to practice at any time of the day especially at night without waking up your neighbors
- A French mute allows you to learn effectively
- It preserves the original sound of your horn
- It enables you to prepare adequately for concert and other events
- The device enables students to learn effectively in the school environment without disturbing other academic activities.
There are plenty of French horn mutes in the market; this has made the selection of the right French mute a difficult task. We are aware of the fact that you need nothing but the best therefore; we have come up with the reviews of best French horn mutes that fall under the three kinds of mutes mentioned earlier. All you need to do is go through their features and pick the one that is perfect for you.
12 Best French Horn Mute Reviews and the Best French Horn Mute Brands
1) Yamaha SB3XC Silent Brass System for French Horn
You will be amazed at how your French horn will play quietly with this mute. It’s a sound reduction device that preserves the original sound quality of your French horn. The amplifier is a nice addition to this device as it enables your musical instrument to sound just as if you are playing full sound.
Are you a beginner that needs an excellent French horn mute for your practice, the Yamaha silent French horn mute is ideal for you as it enables you to practice effectively. This innovative, award-winning mute offers horn players the perfect tool for silent practice or warm-up situation. Over the years, the silent brass system mutes have improved in terms of sound technology, technological innovations and construction. More than before, it offers convenient and a realistic experience.
It will interest you to know that the product comes in a smaller weight design. Also, the device is designed to offer significant sound reduction, offers natural playing experience, balanced pitch as well as overall retention of the basic playing features of the musical instrument.
Other features of this technology-driven French horn mute are excellent audio output for recording and performing, natural playing feel, dramatic sound reduction, audio input for practicing, and many more. Another noteworthy functionality of the Yamaha French horn mute is brass modeling technology that offers excellent and unique brass instrument sound. The device features compact studio unit that enables you to attach an external audio player so that you can practice with a prerecorded material.
2) Tom Crown 30FH – Brass French Horn Transposing Mute
Described as an ideal mute for students as well as semi-professional players, the Tom Crown French mute is a mute that does exactly what you want it to do. The mute comes with an excellent hand strap that allows you to transport the device conveniently. Apart from that, the hand strap also enables players to switch swiftly between stop and open horn during performance. It is light in weight and comes with a nice thick layer of cork at the bottom part to prevent the device from damage.
Considered as one of the professionally crafted mute, the Tom Crown French mute produces a unique lovely sound. So, if you need a high-quality standard mute that is very affordable, this is the product to consider buying and you will be glad you took that decision.
3) Denis Wick DW5524 Straight Mute for French Horn
You will be pleased with the features of this French horn mute when you buy one. This amazing and high-performing mute is ideal for students and professionals as well. It sounds better and works well in all register. The Denis wick is a top brand that is known for its good quality. Apart from being a top-quality brand, it is also very affordable. Therefore, if you need an excellent French mute with a pocket-friendly price, the Denis Wick straight mute is one of the brands to go for.
Users of the Denis wick straight mute gave rave reviews about the product; they commented that the mute offers great tone and balance. This mute is made from spun aluminum of high purity. Also, it is designed to blend perfectly, providing excellent projection and unequaled brilliance. The intonation is perfect too. Other notable features of this fantastic mute are crisp muted sound, excellent design, and perfect intonations.
4) Denis Wick DW5554 Wooden Straight Mute for French Horn
Are you looking for a nice gift to present your loved ones this season? The Denis wick wooden straight mute is an excellent French horn mute that will be appreciated by all French horn players. Many past users of this fantastic French horn mute commented that it has been the best mute so far. The mute looks great and gives a fantastic sound. The Denis wick wooden mute feels and looks professional. It is one of the mutes that worth the money.
A great feature of this device is that it offers a special warm tone color that is unequalled. The mute comes with birched plywood sidewalls and marine ply bases that are supported with a vulcanized fiber. These features endow the mute with superior durability as well as a fantastic sound.
Other notable features of this great mute are perfect intonation in all register, adjustable tuning slide, and many more. If you need a standard mute that will enable you practice effectively at any time of the day, the Denis wick straight mute is one of the best device to consider.
5) Humes&Berg Stonelined Mute
Do you live in a house with no dampening features or soundproof and you want to practice with your French horn all day without disturbing your neighbor? The Humes & Berg Practice French mute is one of the mutes to buy for disturbance-free practice. The product works better than expected and would be a nice gift for your daughter who learns and plays the French horn in school.
Not only that, getting the device for you music loving daughter is a good way of fuelling her musical passion, enabling her to practice whenever she likes without waking or disturbing anybody. This mute silences your horn effectively while retaining the original sound.
You can also make use of this mute while warming up for orchestra, it enables you perfect your skills and get prepared for the performance. Learners who want to learn effectively and fast need to make use of this mute. Intermediate players are not left out as it enables them to sharpen and improve their playing skills. Some outstanding features of this mute are excellent intonation, free and easy blowing, non-transposing, and many more.
6) Humes & Berg 121 Stonelined French Horn Straight Mute
Do you like to practice with your French horn without being offensive to your neighbors? The Humes & Berg French straight mute is what you should consider buying. Parents who want their children to practice all the day long without getting anybody annoyed need to buy this mute. The product is perfect for beginners and professionals as well. The quality is fine and it fits well into the bell. Also, the device allows you to play perfectly in tune.
The mute is a non-transposing and it is ideal for group and solo performance. The stone lined mutes are invented in the year 1935 by Willie Berg. They are very easy to blow and play right in tune. It is worth noting that the stone lined mute are the finest Brass instrument mutes in the globe. For perfect professional sound, the Humes & Berg French horn mute is the ideal mute to consider buying.
7) Humes&Berg French Horn Stop Mute
Do you have a son that plays French horn in community orchestra as well as church? You should consider getting him the Humes & Berg model French mute for excellent sound and improved playability. The French mute performs just as expected and you will be glad with the quality of performance of this amazing mute. Apart from its excellent quality, it is also sold at a reasonable price.
The Humes & Berg model mute comes with a good number of functionalities that are worthy of mention. The mute is non-transposing and it is perfect for section as well as solo performance. Another great feature of this mute is that it is very free and easy to blow, making the device perfect for students as well as individuals learning the French mute. To enjoy other fantastic features of the Humes & Berg model mute, you should consider getting one when next you visit the market.
8) Denis Wick DW5525 Stopping Mute for French Horn
Are you on the lookout for an excellent mute for consistence use? Try the Denis wick stopping mute. It is equipped with all the features you desire to produce a great tone. This stopping mute is ideal for students that play in concert. The mute is a great option if you are looking for an affordable French horn mute that offers excellent sound.
The Denis wick stopping mute is offers a perfect alternative to well know hand stopping method for French horn players. It is a perfect solution for versatile French horn players that are desirous of alternative tone colors. The product is ideal for mute players looking for consistent transposition because it continually creates a flawless transposition with a perfect attack and a clear tone.
The functionalities of the Denis wick stopping mute are noteworthy. Apart from the specially designed shape that offers perfect transposition, the mute provides an even response in all register. It will interest prospective buyers to learn that the product is specially made from hand-spun aluminum. Players with small hand and those who find it stressful to play stopped notes by the conventional method will find this mute very helpful.
9) Denis Wick DW5530 French Horn Practice Mute
The Denis Wick practice mute is a superbly finished, quieter, and durable. It is a great product that all French horn players should add to their collection. The mute is designed perform excellently and suit all players as well as situations. The product is made in British and it is well recognized for its unique sound quality, excellent workmanship, and perfect intonation in all dynamic ranges.
Are you a teacher in search of a teaching aid? The Denis Wick practice mute one of the best teaching aid that helps student to learn faster. Apart from being an indispensable teaching aid, it is also a vital practice mute for professional French horn players.
Parents who want their kids to practice their French horn effectively without the fear of disturbing close neighbors should not hesitate to buy this device. It helps the learner to effortless practice with their musical instrument without going off tune. The mute helps to improve tone quality by opening the throat spaces when playing loudly in the low register. Some of the important features of this product are adjustable cup position, painless practice, excellent sound quality, and more.
10) PAMPET French Horn Practice Mute
You will be amazed at the sound reduction capabilities of the mute. It is a perfect mute to buy for your son if you are tired of hearing him practice non-stop. Apart from the effective sound reduction features, the device stays inside the bell while playing. If you need a mute that will get the job done the way you wanted, the french horn cup mute is the ideal French horn mute to go for.
A great feature that is worth noting about this mute is that it comes with an attractive design. Therefore, the device combines effective sound reduction ability with an attractive appearance, making it one of the most best selling mute in the market.
You will also be pleased to learn that the mute is made of ABS plastic, making the mute durable with parts so strong that they cannot break and fall off. Not only that, the mute is light in weight. The cup mute is uniquely designed to allow better air supply. The mute is different from all other mutes in this regard. It creates a very small amount of back pressure. Another feature of this excellent French horn mute is versatility, meaning that it is ideal for section and solo performance.
11) JoRal FR1A Non-Transposing French Horn Practice Mute
The JoRal French horn mute is an excellent mute that allows you to practice without waking up your sleeping baby. It is a highly recommended mute for students as well as those who aim at learning the French mute without stress.
Many users like this product because it comes with a loop to place a wrist band through for easy and quick access. So, if you are looking for a convenient as well as a high-value mute for your daughter who plays in a band, the JoRal French horn mute is one of the best products you should consider.
Another interesting fact about this unique mute is that it allows sound without transposing regardless of the register. The French mute has been tested to perform excellently in all register. Therefore, professional players as well as intermediate ones that love to produce unique sound at every time should opt for this fantastic mute. The mute is worth the money because it offers reliable flow value that enables horn players to achieve a perfect sound without transposing register.
12) Trumcor 45T Tunable French Horn Straight Mute
Featuring an adjustable chimney for optimum performance, the Trumcor tunable French one is one of the best straight mutes available in the market. The straight mute is not only ideal for beginners, intermediate players who are keen on giving their best all the time can also enjoy the fantastic qualities of this mute.
In terms of shape and feel, the Trumcor straight mute is similar to a Rittich-styled mute. As mentioned earlier, the product comes with a chimney that is adjustable, enabling the mute to be tuned for optimum performance.
It is worth noting that the Trumcor straight mute is designed to offer a muted tone that stays in tune always. Not only that, the mute is endowed with the capability of producing warm, excellent and responsive tone. The device blends perfectly with other instruments and maintains the outstanding qualities of each instrument regardless of the dynamics and register.
Choosing the Best Practice Mute for French Horn
The type of horn mutes needed for a silent practice is different from those that are ideal for the concert. Comprehensive information such as the one given here will help you to know the type of mute to buy in either of the situations.
With any kind of mute, it is advisable to twist it a little when you insert it into the bell. This precaution will keep the mute tight and prevent it from falling out.
2) Tom Crown 30FH – Brass French Horn Transposing Mute
- Transport conveniently
- Unique lovely sound
- Nice thick layer of cork at the bottom part
- Professionally crafted mute
1) Yamaha SB3XC Silent Brass System for French Horn
- Dramatic sound reduction
- Natural playing feel
- Stunning, engaging, satisfying sound
- Smaller weight design
3) Denis Wick DW5524 Straight Mute for French Horn
- Made from hand-spun aluminum
- Have brilliance and carry power
- Offers great tone and balance