Jo-Ral Harmon Mute Review

(Americans will know this as the Jo-Ral Bubble Mute)

In my opinion, the best harmon mute there is.

It keeps its tuning with a fantastic sound whereas other mutes usually compramise in one or both these areas. The copper mute in particular has a darker and rich sound. You’ll also find that most harmon mutes have a quiet tone that restrict your air-flow when playing. This is not the case with the Jo-Ral harmon mute as they are exceptionally free blowing and generate a suprisingly big sound.

These factors make them ideally suited for soling with in a small band or in a recital (especially when used with a mic.).

The draw back to this mute is:

It’s Size

If your trumpet has a larger bell the mute may not fit properly and have to be held in by hand. These larger bell trumpets include Caliccho’s – Ultra Heavy Weight in particular – and Monette’s.

It’s Weight (copper mute)

The copper mute is so heavy there is always the feeling it will fall out whilst playing.

Eddie Severn once told me that he stopped using the copper mutes because he was playing at a wedding for his friend when his mute fell out in the church and bounced down the stone steps he was standing on. It wasn’t a good moment.

I have both these problems but since it fits well enough to get a great sound I hold the harmon mute whilst I play and therefore don’t need to worry bout it falling. So despite these problems I still consider it the best harmon mute around.

If you are not so keen on the idea of holding the mute whilst you play there is an aluminium version. For me the aluminium body is still a great mute but the darker sound is sacrificed for the lighter weight.

For more information go to www.jo-ral.com and have a look around Google for more reviews.