Great reactions to the new Wick SM Travel Mute. Here are five reviews; by the fantastic young euphonium talent from Belgium, Glenn Van Looy, Lewis Musson, Solo Euph with the Leyland Band and BBC2 Brass Soloist of the Year, the French star Bastien Baumet, Solo Euphonium of the Paris BrassBand and leading soloist, Ryunosuke-Pepe Abe the talented Japanese euphonium player and teacher, and Grant Jameson, a brlliant young euphonium talent from the USA, who all bought the new mute some weeks ago:
"I'm very happy to have had the opportunity to test the brand new Denis Wick Travel Mute.
I fell in love from the first note I've played on it. Tuning is excellent and the comfort is so easy. The resistance is perfect. If I play on a practice mute it has to have a bit of resistance to improve your sound. This mute has everything.
It's also very light to travel with. You don't even notice you're carrying it with you.
From now on I'll always have the mute with me."
Glenn Van Looy. December 11, 2011
"As an aspiring professional euphonium player, the new Wick SM travel mute has quickly become an essential piece of kit that i cannot travel without. Whether I'm warming up in a hotel, backstage at a gig or simply cramming in some late night practise at home, this mute has proved itself worth the expenditure time and time again. It fits perfectly inside the bell of my Sterling euphonium, whilst the tuning is a class above all other travel mutes i have tested. Just take care to remember to remove the mute before you go on stage as it is so small and light you may forget its there!
Lewis Musson . December 13, 2011
"I received the new SM Travel Mute. It is the best practice mute. It is really pleasant for travel, we can put it in the case and it's very light. In addition it is the only practice mute that is 'right' and that has no resistance. The sound is perfect. The bass and treble are perfect as if it wasn't a mute. Now I can practice in hotels, backstage, and home at night when I need without disturbing the surroundings. Since I received it, it's all the time with me in my bag.
Bastien Baumet December 18th, 2011
"I bought Travel Mute for Euphonium lately. This is very small and it gives us very comfortable practice time. I've used several practice mutes before such as "Practice Mute" by Denis Wick, "Silent Brass" by Yamaha and "Warm-Up Mute" by Best Brass. Everything helped me a lot in each period, but I'm sure that I met the best practice mute now!!! To practice, it's amazing! we can play everything very smooth. I couldn't believe that we can play legato with practice mute with such a smoothness before I try this travel mute. Also it has very nice response. We can practice on how to make air flow and how to connect air flow and lip's vibration as well. Basically I have opportunity to use this mute a lot in my house. Unfortunately I can't practice in my house without mute... This is life in Japan. :( It helps my practice a lot. Of course it's not 100 % same as practicing with out mute, but comfortable to both player and family. :) To transport, it's also amazing! This fits into inside of bell and you don't need any extra space in your case or gig-bag!! One more thing, I love this shiny red!!! If you are fan of Formula 1 or car like me, you remember Ferrari's red by this!! I'm sure it helps a lot of musician's practice.
Ryunosuke-Pepe Abe, December 31, 2011
The SM practice mute is such a convenient tool to have. Not only in situations where quiet practice is needed, but also in helping with air flow and tone production. After using this mute, I feel like the resonance and size of my sound are noticeably better. I would recommend this to EVERY euphonium player!
Grant Jameson, January 1, 2012
Introducing a brand new design in silent, in-bell compact mutes, the Denis Wick SM Travel Mute (DW5587).
It's the perfect solution for players who wish to practice normally but who prefer not to disturb those around them, enabling a quality sound, with excellent tuning, and free blowing throughout the entire range. Designed by the world famous euphonium soloist Steven Mead in cooperation with Denis Wick Products Ltd, this mute is sure to meet the needs of many players who like to carry a warm up /practice mute inside the bell and who need this mute to perform brilliantly!
Main features : Weighs only 200 grams
Fits inside the bells of all euphonium models, enabling transportation with ease inside gig bags and hard cases
Excellent intonation throughout the entire range, and the most in-tune bell mute available
Free blowing with a soft and high quality sound, not an anonymous muffled sound but clear and with resonance
Very quiet, approximately 5db less sound than other silent/practice mutes - perfect for satisfying your intolerant neighbours (or family members!)
Even response from pedal tones to the very highest notes in the range
Attractive original design, complete with leather strap for easy insertion and removal, a cork lining inside the bell of the mute, high quality neoprene pads for secure grip once inserted, and finished to the highest quality at the Denis Wick Products factory.