Balu Trumpet Mutes
Balu Trumpet Mutes play as beautiful in pianissimo as fortissimo, with both sound control and confidence. Above all, this mute boasts easy-response and impeccable intonation in the low register. This is especially helpful when playing passages of the Shostakovich Concerto for Piano or Legend by George Enescu. Our mutes are made entirely here in the USA with American materials and labor. This is reflected in the price.
We are the first and only company to offer a dual layer cork (a Balu Innovation) only on Balu mutes. The top cork layer has a good grip on the inside of the bell. This is reinforced by a sponge-like bottom layer, that compresses when pushed into the bell. The cork then expands softly, applying pressure outward and guaranteeing protection and safety inside the bell. Many trumpet players have horror stories about mutes falling out during a performance, but the double layer cork is designed to eliminate this issue and keep the mute in place.
So, here are all the reasons you should pay $179 for Balu trumpet mutes!
- You know you can depend on its sound and quality.
- It will stay in the bell, thanks to our two layer corks (a Ion Balu innovation).
- Throughout the whole register you have consistent beautiful tone and articulation.
- It plays in tune without adjusting the tuning slide.
Check out our reviews to hear what trumpet players/artists have to say about Balu Trumpet Mutes!
Dear Ion, Thank you very much for sending your Black Onyx mute. It is an excellent tool specially for soft passages in both orchestral and solo playing. The sound, response and intonation are great. I’ll be using it in my performances with Osep at the Sala São Paulo, Brazil. Congratulations!
Fernando Dissenha, Osesp – Solo Trumpet, Yamaha Brazil – Clinician, The Juilliard School – M.M.
Dear Ion: It was a pleasure meeting you at the West Chester brass festival. I just had to tell you that I’ve been trying your mute out with an orchestra I’m playing in and it sounds great! It adds a soft color to any lyrical passage I want to play, slots well, and doesn’t mess with the intonation of the horn. I only wish I had this mute when I recorded my last CD! All the best,
James Ackley Assistant Professor of Music Trumpet Performance Studies Department of Music University of Connecticut Soloist – Andes International Management
Dear Mr. Balu: We recently performed two series of concerts in which the Kansas City Symphony trumpet section used your Trumpet Mutes. We played Don Quixote with YoYo Ma and the following week The Rite of Spring. Your mutes worked just great!! What a beautiful sound they give and the intonation was quite excellent. We are always trying to find better tools to make us sound better and also to make our job easier. Your mutes are, in my opinion, the best soft mute on the market. I would recommend them to any serious trumpeter. Congratulations on developing a truly wonderful mute. Best Wishes,
Philip Clark DMA, Associate Principal Trumpet-Kansas City Symphony
“Your mute is outstanding. The intonation is highly consistent and I find the mute particularly effective for soft passages.”
Dr. Kim Dunnick, Professor of Music (Trumpet) President, 1997-1999, International Trumpet Guild, Ithaca College School of Music NY
Hi Ion, This mute that I bought from you at the West Chester trumpet day is really great! I’ve already played it in concert with great success. It’s obviously very difficult to find a mute that plays soft to loud, low to high and all in tune! What a pleasure it will be to play Enesco Legende and other works involving a low, soft muted passage. Well done!
Brent Flinchbaugh Trumpet, Duo Heroique, Freelance trumpet in Baltimore/Washington
(Speaking of our trumpet mute) … In its first trip out of the house last night I played “Bolero” and loved the tone color, intonation and response the mute afforded me.
Robert Frear, Director of Brass Studies, CA State University, Long Beach
The elegant new wooden mute for trumpet by Ion Balu is simply the best mute I’ve ever played. The tone is sweet and the pitch is perfectly centered in all registers. The resistance is excellent, offering firm control from pianissimo to fortissimo. This is the straight mute I would like for trumpeters to use when playing my compositions!
Stanley Friedman, Composer / Trumpeter
Dear Mr. Balu, …I have to say that (the trumpet mute) is a very special tool for me. The mute really sounds great and playing with it is a big joy. I hope it will soon be popular among trumpeters around the world. With best wishes,
Jouko Harjanne, Recording artist, International soloist, Finland.
Dear Mr. Balu, Thank you very much for sending me your Red Mahogany trumpet straight mute. I have not had too much chance to play with it so far, but the little I have played with it convinces me that it is a wonderful mute, with evenness of tone throughout the registers and nice resistance. The pitch is also quite good in both upper and lower registers. Compared to other mutes that I have (…) your mute strikes me as a good choice for softer passages. I am very grateful for your generosity and will certainly recommend your mutes to my colleagues in the Minnesota Orchestra and my trumpet students at St. Olaf.
