Morningstar Custom Mutes are HERE!

What they say:

"You can play ALL the notes" - Gabe Rice, Boston freelance musician

"I tried the new Morningstar mutes at the International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City this past summer. I wasn't looking for yet another mute, but I had to leave with one! I was instantly impressed with the great response and consistency through the range. Great low range down into pedals...I highly recommend it!"

- James Scott, Principal Trombone, Calgary Philharmonic

"The Morningstar Straight Mute is the EASIEST AND MOST FREE-BLOWING MUTE I've ever tried.  I've never played a mute with such even response across the entire range of the instrument, especially below the staff"

- Ross Holcombe, Asst. Principal Trombone, Florida Orchestra

"What makes these mutes a MUST HAVE for me is that Ilan put so much time effort and care into the development process and what he offers has gone through the most rigorous adjustments imaginable to find the true winner"

- Eric Prodger, Principal Bass Trombone, Winnipeg Symphony

About the process:

Last season my colleague Andrew Poirier shared with me that my choice of straight mute from a well-known brand wasn't to his liking because of how poorly it blended with the section. Now I DO like that mute, but if I'm honest with myself it does sound different.  I selfishly used it because it worked better than any other standard straight mute I tried, but I didn't take my section into account in that decision.

I decided to try and make something.  My criteria for success:

- Respond immediately in all registers

- Operate with one hand

- Predictable intonation

- Adjustable to fit my different horns

- and because of a little pride, I wanted to be able to do all this without venting the mute (although I'm glad to do that for you if you'd like: Just drop me a line!)

After A WHOLE LOT of trial and error (mostly error!), trying different materials, play testing by colleagues and on different instruments, I ended up with the design and materials listed below.  They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but for me they all work.  I hope they'll work for you too!

- Ilan

P.S.
In the course of this work I found that at the stem shape I chose for consistency and control over the gap, that bell shape varies a lot both between makers, and if bells have been damaged and possibly repaired.  At times these issues were noticeable enough that they were beyond simply moving the mute’s “corks”.  Working in this medium allows me to make these adjustments relatively easily and quickly, so if your instrument does not fit my standard design please let me know so I can adjust the design to better match your horn.