How do I learn to use the plunger mute for a solo? What is a good simple exercise?

Question

I want to use the plunger mute for a solo (baby elephant walk). I can play it without the plunger, but I have no idea what I'm doing with the plunger. It is totally uncomfortable.

Balance is difficult. I need to control the slide, the plunger angle, and the mouthpiece position/pressure. My embechoure is really sensitive to changes in horn angle too.

Are there tips for holding the instrument steady with the plunger mute? And are there some exercises for practicing the nice plunger woooaaaa, woooaaaa sounds?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, plungers are generally not particularly comfortable to utilize. The easiest way is to have the palm of your hand hold the bottom of the bell so that it rests on your hand. The wrist pivots to allow the mute to go from engaged to disengaged. If you do it that way, you'll have to worry about the horn moving less than if you were using other angles.

In general, a little goes a long way so you don't have to totally remove the plunger from the bell every time. A 45 degree angle is often as far out as you'll need to go.

One common trick for assisting with plunger work is to drill a hole through the top ring and put a string, shoestring, etc. through it. Make it long enough that your hand can fit through it but tight enough that it won't fall. That makes it much easier to not drop it. Another slight deviation from that is to make the string fairly long so that you can drop it when you're done playing and the string will slide down to your wrist. That will make it easier to switch from one mode to the other.

Answer 2

I learnt this exercise in a masterclass with Steve Turre and it has done wonders for my plunger technique.

The exercise is to practice four different plunger articulations to move between notes. Try something in the mid-range to get started, say Ab to Bb. The key concept is to replace the tongued articulation with the movement of the plunger (time the plunger and slide movement to get the correct articulation without slurs).

1

• start with plunger resting at a 45 degree angle on the bell
• tongue Ab
• move slide to first position (Bb) without tonguing and close the plunger against the bell
• sounds like "ta-ooh"

2

• Start with plunger closed against the bell
• tongue Ab
• move slide to first position (Bb) without tonguing and open plunger to a 45 degree angle
• sounds like "ta-wah"

3

• start with plunger resting at a 45 degree angle on the bell
• tongue Ab
• close plunger against bell and open it (in time)
• move slide to first position (Bb) without tonguing and close the plunger against the bell
• sounds like "ta-ooh ah-ooh"

4

• Start with plunger closed against the bell
• tongue Ab
• open plunger to a 45 degree angle and close it (in time)
• move slide to first position (Bb) without tonguing and open plunger to a 45 degree angle
• sounds like "ta-wah ah-wah"

Next, pick out some nice ballads and practice them with these articulations.