[Trombone-l] quick! what's a "jazz mute" ?

[Ray Horton]

Still talking about the Bernstein _Divertimento_, Mvt 7:


Yeah, a lot of the suggestions from the list make sense. 


Problem is, after rehearsing this today - no combination of mutes in the 
piece itself makes sense. 


We spent only a little time on it, but this is my recollection of the 
way the piece goes, with the mute problems:


1) Piece starts out with "jazz mute" written for trumpet solo and three 
trbs.   Trpt solo works nicely with plunger, but he likes to do that 
stuff - then there is also some trb solo that says "solo mute" (that 
might mean solotone) but there is no time to switch to harmon coming up. 
2) for a brief time Trpt rests, trbs don't,
3) then only two beats rest, change of mood, trpts and tenor trbs have 
harmon accompanying a high tuba solo.  This part works as written (no + 
or o, though).
4) Then again, trpts rest, tenor trbs don't.
5) Last section (Loud) trpts are open, but no time for trbs to take out 
harmons - conductor says bass trb should stay [harmon] with tenors, so 
this sounds really odd in the loud part although soft end is semi OK.


I cannot conceive of any physically possible combination of mutes that 
will work on this movement.  Bernstein either had no actual concept in 
his head of what he wanted, or had a concept that he didn't write down 
clearly, and couldn't be played because he didn't give enough time for 
the mute changes. 


Now, looking over my list - one possibility that might be worth a try 
would be all of us try solotones and try to make them sound like harmons 
in the middle part, but I don't know what they would sound like in the 
loud part at the end.  Too late anyway - concert is tomorrow AM.


It'll be over after Saturday.


Ray Horton
Louisville Orchestra


t.stone at att.net wrote:
> Hi List,
>
> Since there are no o's or +'s written over the notes, which would indicate a plunger, and Bernstein had specified Harmon elsewhere, then the "brassy mute" would suggest a straight mute and "jazz mute," by process of elimination, must mean cup mute. Run that up the flag pole and see if anybody salutes.
>
> Tim
> Granada Hills, CA
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