Denis Wick Mutes

Although they may look like a modern invention mutes have been around for hundreds of years. The first documented use of the Trumpet mute was in the Toccata from Monteverdi’s Opera L’Orfeo (1607). The mutes used at this time changed the pitch of the trumpet up a tone, as they sealed up the bell on contact with the instrument, making the trumpet slightly shorter.
Bella Tromba are proud and lucky to be sponsored by Denis Wick, producers of mutes for all brass instruments and other brass accessories. Over the summer we visited the warehouse to try out lots of different mutes and get matching mutes for the whole quartet. We now have mutes for every occasion including some wooden straight mutes which make a beautiful soft, subtle sound, to my new favourite the brass bottomed straight mute. This mute had a really bright, bold edge to it.
Denis Wick also make mouthpieces and Jo has been trying out the new Maurice Murphy mouthpiece

“I love my new MM mouthpiece. The gold plating is so smooth and soft on my lips and doesn’t have all the annoying nicks and scratches that my old mouthpiece has. The sound is much bigger and brighter and I have found it really rings out in the orchestra. My new 3 PA mouthpiece is also great. I did a performance of the Hummel on Eb trumpet the other day and found it so much easier in the high range. I would recommend Denis Wick mouthpieces.”

Next week Bella Tromba have a recital at Swinburne Hall for the Colchester Institute. Once again we’ll be performing Hugo Ribiero’s Gestures III (premiered at Deal Festival this summer), which uses mutes throughout and makes particular use of the Harmon Mute and its wah-wah effect.