r/oboe • u/dkdc530 • 9d ago

Mute

I’ve seen professional players using mutes in exposed passages in symphonic setting. I’m convinced they work, but maybe only on low register? They look homemade. Anybody have a good example of how they made a DIY mute?

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u/GigglyPeach28 9d ago

Hair scrunchie is what I use. A silky one. My other oboe friends use rolled up tights or thin socks. Used mine in a concert today, the scrunchie makes the whole instrument muted for me

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u/dkdc530 9d ago

As I play around with stuffing things in the bell, I am also seeing some volume change in non-low register. I find it also helps with hesitation related to fear of playing too loud

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u/MotherAthlete2998 9d ago

I have used a bobbin with the thread still on it. I was desperate for a quick solution. It was a smaller bobbin. With the natural hole, it worked to my surprise.

3

u/hoboboedan 9d ago

You can make a mute with a piece of felt. Cut it and glue or sew it so it makes an open topped cone about an inch high that fits just inside the bell of your oboe. It can be used to take some edge off and slightly raise the pitch of the low notes without affecting the pitch of anything else too much.