Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Mute point

Possibly the first trumpet mute ever, 1865.
[CORRECTION: of course not. A wooden trumpet mute is mentioned in 1813 Musikschule, next entry. This is possibly the first patent for a mute.]
http://www.google.com/patents/US51363

"In all musical instruments, such as are usually made of brass or German silver, and comprised under the general term of brass instruments, it has heretofore been a great annoyance for the neighborhood, if a person commences to practice on such an instrument. The sounds produced by unpracticed persons are really distressing. It has, therefore, been a great desideratum to have what is termed a mute, that is to say, a device which will deaden the sound without altering the tune."

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