This is Nakamura from Kubokan!
Today, I’d like to introduce you to an “innovative” plunger mute.
?? “Oh, a plunger. I use one of those toilet plungers.”
Yeah, yeah—this one, right?
Honestly, this is enough for the bare minimum.
But haven’t you ever felt like something was missing?
・It’s hard to maintain a steady pitch
・The sound gets distorted when you close it
・It’s hard to produce low notes
・The sound lacks fullness
Here’s a mute that solves these problems in a surprisingly effective way.
Hirschman “KR Indigo”
This is a plunger mute from the “KR Indigo” series, jointly developed by Kenny Lampton—known as a trumpeter with “Jazz at Lincoln Center”—and the American mute manufacturer Hirschman.
Click here for the product page
We also feature it in a video
It features a distinctive design with a large, blue silhouette and a handle shaped like a one-cent coin. This is part of the “Kenny Penny” system, which works in conjunction with the coin inside the plunger to switch between open and closed positions. This means you can adjust the playing feel and sound to your liking with just this single coin.
There are two types available for trumpet: MAX and Standard.
The MAX model has a larger outer diameter of 130 mm, but it’s suitable for standard trumpets and Yamaha models, allowing you to fully unleash this mute’s rich, powerful sound.
The Standard has an outer diameter of 122 mm. This is recommended for those seeking a traditional plunger sound or for players with smaller hands who prefer a more compact size.
In practice, both are designed to be easy to hold, so it’s best to choose based on your tonal preference.
Check out the MAX demo performance here
Be sure to check this out too!
There’s also a video on “how to play” using this mute: How to play/Kris Johnson
There is only one type of BIG BLUE mute available for trombone. (There is one other type outside of the KR Indigo series, but I’ll omit that here.)
Just like with the trumpet version, this mute delivers accurate pitch and a rich, powerful sound. Especially when playing with a plunger—which can often be unstable—the fact that “the pitch stays consistent and the sound remains stable when closed” is its greatest appeal.
This model comes in only one size. It’s designed to deliver optimal results across all sizes, from tenor to bass trombone, with just this one model.
Click here for a BIG BLUE demo performance
This might be a bit of a niche point, but since all models have a large internal cup volume, another key feature is that you can use a standard straight mute instead of a pixie mute.
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To reiterate, this mute provides stable pitch, makes playing easier, and delivers an excellent sound.
It’s up to you whether you settle for a “toilet plunger” or get the “real deal”!
Be sure to give this buzzworthy mute—used by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and others—a try! ◎
Click here for the product page
Nakamura