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Brassnose Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 2053 Location: Germany
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:17 pm Post subject: Pixie vs. straight mutes |
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I have never played a pixie mute, they don’t show up often over here. So, how does a pixie compare to a regular straight mute in terms of sound and playability? Could I substitute a pixie for a straight or vice versa? _________________ 2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier |
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Tpt_Guy Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 1102 Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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While there are some more recent makers that produce good pixies, pixies generally tend to be horrible below about bottom line E (sharp, stuffy, not slotting - like trying to play Low F# on a Harmon brand Wow-Wow with no stem). I would not advise using a pixie as a substitute for a straight mute.
The typical use I've seen for a pixie is in conjunction with a plunger. _________________ -Tom Hall-
"A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence."
-Bruce Lee
Last edited by Tpt_Guy on Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jazzjezz Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2010 Posts: 108 Location: SE UK
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:35 am Post subject: |
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The KR Indigo plunger can be used with a standard straight mute - so no need for a specific pixie mute... |
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Mike Prestage Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2012 Posts: 722 Location: Hereford, UK
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:41 am Post subject: |
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I don't have any experience with purpose-made pixies other than Humes & Berg. Used as a regular straight mute, these are every bit as hopeless as Tpt_Guy described. (The H&B fibre pixie might have a slightly better low register than the usual metal one - the only thing I really remember from when I tried one was that it was a truly terrible pixie!)
The Denis Wick Eb straight mute works well as a pixie as long as you have a relatively big plunger (certainly easier to play than the metal H&B) and works OK in a Bb horn as a straight mute. It's never going to sound great but IMO it's playable enough to get through the odd straight mute passage on big band gigs.
I doubt it would be worth trying to go the other way and just use a straight mute as a pixie because it would be hard to find a combination of plunger and mute that would allow the bell to close up fully. I can't imagine any combination being very effective but if you want to try, the Denis Wick aluminium plunger would probably be the way to go.
Mike |
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Brassnose Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 2053 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:42 am Post subject: |
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Thanks so far. In fact I am not really looking for a plunger/pixie combo but rather for a small version of a straight. I need a straight about once in a gig and am looking for a small one that fits in my case while not sounding like crap.
So maybe the Best Brass Straight Mini
http://www.bestbrass.com/stf/straight_mini.html
may be an option - I just thought a pixie may also do the trick. _________________ 2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier |
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Mike Prestage Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2012 Posts: 722 Location: Hereford, UK
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:52 am Post subject: |
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jazzjezz wrote: | The KR Indigo plunger can be used with a standard straight mute - so no need for a specific pixie mute... |
Didn't see your post before I sent mine - just had a shufti at that plunger and I'm very tempted to order one! I have a feeling it would be fantastic with the Eb 'pixie' and it would be nice to have the option of using a regular straight, plus it looks a really interesting plunger for non-muted playing.
Mike |
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Mike Prestage Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2012 Posts: 722 Location: Hereford, UK
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:01 am Post subject: |
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Brassnose wrote: | Thanks so far. In fact I am not really looking for a plunger/pixie combo but rather for a small version of a straight. I need a straight about once in a gig and am looking for a small one that fits in my case while not sounding like crap.
So maybe the Best Brass Straight Mini
http://www.bestbrass.com/stf/straight_mini.html
may be an option - I just thought a pixie may also do the trick. |
I had no idea that even existed so certainly can't comment on whether it's as good as they say, but I think it's very likely to be the best answer for what you want.
Mike |
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zaferis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 2330 Location: Beavercreek, OH
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:45 am Post subject: |
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Pixie mutes by themselves really don't sound like a good straght mute, probably not a good substitute..
The KR Indigo Plunger is an awesome plunger and is deep enough to work with a straight mute i.e. a Denis Wick or Jo-Ral.
Huber Music is making a pretty nice pixie mute
https://www.fhubermusic.com _________________ Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman |
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Richard III Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2655 Location: Anacortes, WA
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:43 am Post subject: |
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Wasn't the original pixie sold with the cornet as a practice mute?
I have a modern one and thought about the same thing. But it doesn't sound like a straight mute. I have it to sound like Muggsy Spanier. However, in a pinch I also have a metal plunger mute that does almost the same thing without the pixie. What a great sound. _________________ Richard
King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece |
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Brassnose Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 2053 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:35 am Post subject: |
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As I said in my initial post I have never played a pixie. So all information is highly appreciated - I do however get the impression that my original plan of using a pixie for a straight may not be the way to go.
Those Huber mutes look interesting … _________________ 2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier |
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HERMOKIWI Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Pixie mutes are horrible substitutes for straight mutes for the reasons stated by the other people posting. They are completely unworkable as straight mutes. They are barely workable as pixie mutes. I think the Eb mute suggested is probably the mute most consistent with what the pixie mute is supposed to be and do.
As for straight mutes, the Best Brass mini looks promising. _________________ HERMOKIWI |
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trpthrld Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4810
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Brassnose Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 2053 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 11:13 am Post subject: |
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OK folks, I am almost convinced I should go for the Best Brass and post a quick review here in due time _________________ 2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier |
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