Rather than blocking the bell, the SoftRing works by dampening the vibrations around the bell’s perimeter, creating a soft, warm tone. It works on any size bell and in combination with other mutes.
The SoftRing is made from soft, flexible neoprene, so it won’t damage your bell and can be stored flat or folded up.
The standard trumpet mute fits 4 7/8″ diameter bells, the standard piccolo mute fits 4″ diameter bells, and the standard flugelhorn mute fits 6″ diameter bells. Since the mute has a bit of stretch it can fit slightly larger or smaller bells, but a custom ring can easily made to accommodate your instrument at no extra cost.
When would you use the SoftRing?
The SoftRing mute works beautifully any time you want to take some of the brilliance out of the trumpet’s sound. So it can be a great choice for soft, lyrical passages, and provides a great alternative to the ‘felt crown’ sometimes requested in Gershwin’s music.
The SoftRing is Adjustable
Depending on how you position it on the bell, the SoftRing can have more or less of an effect on the trumpet’s tone.
Nota bene: The SoftRing has the greatest effect when it covers more of the bell, but this can affect slotting in the upper register. When playing a passage above the staff the SoftRing works best positioned further back along the bell (i.e. closer to the valves).
The SoftRing plays well with other mutes
Flugelhorn
You can finally play the flugelhorn with a soft and mellow tone!
Kidding aside, it can be useful to further soften the flugelhorn’s sound, and the SoftRing adds another dimension to its already beautiful tone.
Piccolo Trumpet
Why use the SoftRing on the piccolo trumpet?
- It could help add confidence with soft entrances in the upper register. With the SoftRing you can stay relaxed and play without holding back and still make a soft sound.
- It can help save your ears in the practice room if you are spending lots of time in the upper register.
- It is fun to be a mute nerd.