Piano Guidance
Photo by Miriam Alonso Pexels Logo Photo: Miriam Alonso

How can I practice trumpet quietly?

In this article, we'll take a look at five easy ways to keep the noise down. Buy A Mute! The first (and possibly easiest) option is to purchase a mute. ... Practice Using Only The Mouthpiece. ... Perfect Your Embouchure. ... Play Softly. ... Soundproof Your Room.

Who hit the lowest note?
Who hit the lowest note?

Tim Storms Tim Storms (born August 28, 1972) is an American singer and composer. He holds the Guinness World Record for both the "lowest note...

Read More »
Can Muslims have dogs?
Can Muslims have dogs?

Whereas some interpretations of Islam deem dogs impure, Mr Allam says: “It is possible to coexist with a dog and still worship God.” Citing the...

Read More »

While we obviously adore brass instruments and the music they make, there's no getting around the fact that it's one of the loudest families of instruments out there. The trumpet and trombone are usually the loudest instruments in an orchestra! In a performance, the trumpet can range between 80 and 110 decibels, while the trombone can peak at around 115 decibels. Need some more context? Here are a few other noises that typically hit around 80 decibels:

A hairdryer

A busy downtown street

A loud alarm clock

An old vacuum cleaner

A dishwasher

But please don't let the fact that brass instruments are loud put you off from playing and practicing! If you’re conscious of annoying the neighbours while you master your brass instrument at home, there are loads of things you can do to reduce the noise. In this article, we'll take a look at five easy ways to keep the noise down.

Buy A Mute!

The first (and possibly easiest) option is to purchase a mute. You can buy mutes for various brass instruments online for anywhere between £25 to £100 depending on the level of quality and sound you’re after. No matter which mute you choose, it will quieten your instrument. Just remember that some mutes require extra pressure to play, which could affect your technique once removed. It's also worth noting that mutes work on pInstruments too, so you don't need to take any special steps if you've a pTrumpet or a pBone.

Shop brass mutes here

Practice Using Only The Mouthpiece

You should definitely try playing on just the mouthpiece, removing the brass instrument from the equation. While this might seem a bit silly at first, it’s a great way to try out some simple buzzing exercises and strengthen your embouchure - this is what we call the all-important position of our tongue, teeth, and lips while playing. Check out online resources like BrassTabs and the Brass Blast UK YouTube Channel for simple and accessible exercises you can try just on your mouthpiece!

Perfect Your Embouchure

Why is Jerry missing a finger?
Why is Jerry missing a finger?

In 1947, in the Santa Cruz mountains, a tiny Jerry Garcia, just four years old at the time, was chopping wood with his brother when a mistimed chop...

Read More »
What are the rules on selling ivory?
What are the rules on selling ivory?

From June 6, 2022, it is illegal to deal in ivory items without a valid registration or exemption certificate. Jun 6, 2022

Read More »

You can perfect your technique without ever picking up an instrument! Embouchure, which we just talked about, is incredibly important for brass playing. The good news is that it's very easy to practice this technique at home, quietly, without an instrument. BrassTabs and Brass Blast UK are, once again, great resources that provide a bunch of fun exercises you can use to work on your embouchure, so give it a go!

Play Softly

The good thing about brass instruments is that you control how much air is blown into them, which means you do have some degree of control over the volume. While it's possible to try playing more softly at home, this is probably an option for the more experienced players who have more control over their playing. Newcomers might struggle a little with this particular option, but definitely see how it goes!

Soundproof Your Room

If all else fails and you really just want a place in your home to let rip, consider soundproofing the room you practice in. Be aware that this is the most expensive and time-consuming option, but it will allow you the peace of mind to simply play and not be afraid that you're annoying anyone. We'd recommend playing in a room that has lots of carpets, furniture, curtains (the thicker the better!), and rugs already, as this will go some way towards absorbing the sound. A smaller room will also be best, and if you can pick up a draught excluder or two to cover the gaps beneath the door, that'd definitely help. One final thing to add here is that you need to check with a friend or family member that your soundproofing efforts have actually worked! It's no use to anyone if you do all of the above, start belting out tunes like there's no tomorrow, and it turns out everyone can still hear you clear as day.

What is the number 1 song of 2020?
What is the number 1 song of 2020?

Blinding Lights The Year in Charts 2020: The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is the No. 1 Hot 100 Song of the Year. The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" is...

Read More »
Why did Evh stop using Frankenstrat?
Why did Evh stop using Frankenstrat?

Because companies began selling guitars with similar finishes, and because he felt that the guitar was being too badly damaged from overuse, he...

Read More »
Is a piano with 61 keys good?
Is a piano with 61 keys good?

If you are a beginning piano student, a 61-key keyboard should be a good fit for all of your needs. It should also fit easily into small spaces....

Read More »
What is God's purpose for music?
What is God's purpose for music?

Music is used to teach the gospel. The apostle Paul wrote to the saints: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and...

Read More »