Megaphone and bottle mute

[Sdoubler]

Anyone have any insight into the gear used in 1920's music that called for trombone "bottle" and "megaphone" mutes?

[BGuttman]

"Bottle" probably refers to the metal Harmon straight mute (which looks a little like a bottle).

Megaphone generally refers to a mute like the H&B "Cleartone" which was intended to replace the discontinued Solotone.

[Sdoubler]

It's a good guess, but the part is written in such a way that the intended "bottle" mute must be able to be mounted on a stand, similar to a hat mute. There is no break in playing between the "with bottle" section and "bottle off." Arranger error is a possibility..

I've not heard that the solotone was a replacement for a megaphone mute. I'll have to research that.

Thanks for the input!

[BGuttman]

We played the "Mississippi Suite" in my orchestra and there is a VERY fast mute change. Too fast for my 2nd trombone player. He mounted his straight mute on a music stand base and simply played into it when necessary. You could easily do this with a wine bottle and that would make a literal bottle mute. The sound would probably sound a lot like a metal straight anyway.

[Sdoubler]

Handy!

Looks like there is a company called Emo that makes both a solotone and a megaphone mute. A video demonstration of the trumpet versions shows a similar tone, with the megaphone a bit louder.

[Kingfan]

I've got a bottle shaped vintage metal straight mute that has been painted over. No idea age or brand. Just now saw an oval sticker. Could this be the one you are thinking about? After I took the pic, I got some goof off and found it isn't latex paint. Acetone took the paint off the label which is black, but no markings remain. Anybody know what this puppy is?

IMG_0108.JPG

[Sdoubler]

How heavy is that puppy?

Who needs a thesis topic for a dissertation? "Brass mutes from 1920-1935"

I'd read it!

[Kingfan]

Four and a half ounces. It attracts a magnet so can't be aluminum.