The focus of mute usage has shifted from changing dynamics to manipulating the colour of sound in a variety of directions. Composers expect you to use mutes through the full range of a brass instrument, and require an ever growing need for blending with different instruments and effects. With all these challenges in mind, Denis Wick has created a wide variety of mutes to help fill out your colour pallet and get the job done with minimal work for you.

Since the straight mute is possibly the most commonly used mute in composition, let’s take a look at the full colour pallet the Denis Wick line offers you.

The key to progress is often what we as musicians do between lessons, not what we do during lessons. Musicians often assume the more time they spend practicing, the better they will become. While we know that practice is needed to progress, how we go about this practice is key to how quickly the progress is made.

Quick mute changes can very quickly turn a perfectly good brass player into a solo percussionist in the middle of a performance. Has this happened to you? Test-pieces for wind and brass bands often have a situation where whole brass section is muted and indeed many brass players are increasingly called upon to change mutes quickly. Use these tips to prevent your next mute change from becoming a percussion solo!

Straight mutes come in all sizes and materials, and understanding how they can work for you will make your life a lot easier. Tom Hutchinson, principal cornetist of the Cory Brass Band, play-tests 3 of our straight mute options: the aluminium straight, copper bottom, and pianissimo mute. Which one will work best for you next muted section?

If you are going to focus on improving your buzz to get more sound, you have 2 options: free buzzing, and mouthpiece buzzing. Are both beneficial? Denis Wick artist Chris O'Hara provides some insights on free buzzing vs. mouthpiece buzzing and best practices in this Denis Wick Quick Clinic.

What does buzzing on your mouthpiece have to do with your tone? A lot! The sound starts with you and your mouthpiece and your trumpet magnifies that sound. Learn more about this concept, and get some buzzing exercises to improve your buzz and as a result, your tone

January is the perfect time to establish and reinforce some good habits, quit some old ones, reflect on all you've accomplished up to now, and examine what you would like to accomplish in the future. After all your reflections, what actions are you going to take?

Stumped on what to get that favorite trombone player of yours? Here are some of our Denis Wick artist group's favorite gadgets, books, and more that may just be the thing a special trombone player in your life may want!

Stumped on what to get that favorite trumpet player of yours? Here are some of our Denis Wick artist group's favorite gadgets, books, and more that may just be the thing a special trumpet player in your life may want!

A mouthpiece is responsible for your sound. How is you mouthpiece standing up to this responsibility? Here are 3 ways to determine how compatible your relationship is to your mouthpiece in this Denis Wick quick clinic with Denis Wick artist, Victor Haskins