Miles Davis - which Harmon mute?

[Andy Evans]

does anybody know what mute exactly was used by Miles? I want to buy a
Harmon mute, so would like to know which one to get.

[wise...@verizon.net]

On Mar 11, 8:35 am, Andy Evans <performanceandme...@gmail.com> wrote:
> does anybody know what mute exactly was used by Miles? I want to buy a
> Harmon mute, so would like to know which one to get.

Miles played a Harmon mute.
Wilmer

[Andy Evans]

> Miles played a Harmon mute.
> Wilmer

Hi Wilmer - do you know which type and make? There are several. I'm
looking for guidance on which actual type and make gives that kind of
sound - aluminium, copper, what shape etc. I know he used it with the
plunger out - that's all I know.

Also there's the actual mute made by Harmon, and the generic term
"Harmon mute" which is now made by several people.

[Andy Evans]

I've been doing some sleuthing - is the Jo Ral bubble mute the one -
in copper?

[wise...@verizon.net]

Harmon is a brand name. Miles played the mute that is also called a
"wa-wa" mute. Miles did not play the mute with the stem in.
Today there are many wa-wa mutes on the market. In Miles day, there
was only the aluminum Harmon mute.
Wilmer

[Joe Finn]

"Andy Evans" <performan...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4259ceb9-14d1-4b3d...@u72g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

Andy: I have in my possession a mute that supposedly belonged to Miles
Davis. It was left behind after a session at The Power Station where Miles
was playing back in the 1980's. It was given to me by way of one of the
technicians who worked there as a production assistant.

The mute is an aluminum, "Star Mute" with a stem. The Star Mute sticker also
says "supreme quality" on it

I don't have a picture of it but it is similar to this one:

http://www.wwbw.com/Harmon-Wow-Wow-Trumpet-Mutes-i77251.music

Hope this helps. ..........................joe

--
Visit me on the web www.JoeFinn.net

[wise...@verizon.net]

On Mar 11, 12:52 pm, "Joe Finn" <J...@JoeFinn.net> wrote:
> "Andy Evans" <performanceandme...@gmail.com> wrote in message

That is exactly the type Miles played. Harmon is the brand name. The
Emo harmon mute was very popular in the studios in the seventies when
I started working in NY.
Wilmer

[zoot]

On Mar 11, 9:58 am, "wiseo...@verizon.net" <wiseo...@verizon.net>
wrote:

don't get a harmon. they don't slot at the bottom of your range at
all. get the bubble. don't know bout the aluminum. every one i know
uses that heavy copper. also if you are trying to do miles you need a
dynamic mike with a good proximity effect like an sm 58 or an ev 641
like mine or an ev 468. kill the top end boost the bottom turn the
volume down and eat the mike. when you play open just back off a tad
[ or a smidg if you are metric].
too much
zoot

[Andy Evans]

I asked a local trumpet player and she said the Jo Ral copper bubble
was what all the guys were using, but it's seriously heavy. She used
the Jo Ral aluminium bubble since it is lighter. She's mainly a
classical player.

I'm just wondering how much extra puff it needs - I'm strictly
amateur!!

[wise...@verizon.net]

How did Miles do It with that crappy mute:-)
He played on crap and made it sing!
It was Miles not the mute you heard.
There was a Swedish made harmon mute that had Diz name on it that was
the best mute I ever played.
I don't like the Jo-Ral, I still use the Emo.
Wilmer

[stevericks]

I would suggest anything other than the Harmon. I have one that I have used
from the late 60's and it is horrible. Used to think it was me. Intonation
is terrible, especially at A on the staff and lower. I don't know what else
is out there, but suggest you try something else. Just because Miles used
it, doesn't mean it is any good. It is similar with mouthpieces. Using
Maynard's mouthpiece doesn't mean I am going to sound like him. I'm much
better off finding something that fits my chops.
Steve

"Andy Evans" <performan...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:17cc5adb-e538-4daf...@m44g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...