Best French Horn Mutes of 2026
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French horn mutes are essential accessories for any horn player. They are designed to alter the sound of the horn, allowing for a variety of tonal colors and effects. Different types of mutes can produce different sounds, from the soft and mellow sound of a straight mute to the metallic and bright sound of a metal mute. French horn mutes are typically made of metal or plastic and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are easy to use and can be quickly inserted or removed from the horn during a performance. Whether you are a professional musician or a student, a French horn mute is a must-have accessory for any horn player.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 French Horn Mutes
ProTec Vulkan French Horn Tunable Mute V101
The ProTec Vulkan Horn Mute is designed to give you excellent sound quality whether you're playing in a small chamber group or a full orchestra. Its free-blowing design helps maintain clear and balanced tones across all notes, so you can trust your intonation. The mute features a custom rubber cap that protects your horn’s bell from scratches and lets you insert the mute quietly without disturbing your performance. It also comes with a durable cork that keeps the mute securely in place, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping. Made from lightweight vulcanized fiber, this mute is easy to handle while offering long-lasting durability and precise tuning.
Denis Wick French Horn Stopping Mute
The Denis Wick Stopping Mute is a highly efficient tool for French horn players of all levels. Its unique design allows for superior transposition, producing crisp and clear notes with a clean attack every time. With the ability to generate a perfect semitone transposition, this mute helps players find alternative tone colors and produce a lovely, even response on all registers. The mute is especially useful for players with smaller hands, providing an easier and more reliable alternative to the traditional hand stop method. Crafted by hand in the United Kingdom using high-purity spun aluminum and Portuguese-sourced cork, the Denis Wick Stopping Mute is a superior quality product that is sure to enhance any player's musical journey.
PAMPET French Horn Mute
The PAMPET French Horn Mute is designed and tested to deliver even response and perfect intonation in all registers. It produces a distinct, muted sound throughout the natural range of the instrument, making it ideal for music lovers to practice or warm up quietly at home or before a performance.
Humes & Berg 121 French Horn Mute
The Humes & Berg French Horn Mute is a straight mute designed for both solo and ensemble performances. As a non-transposing mute, it allows you to play the same "C" note as on an open horn, ensuring perfect pitch every time. This feature is especially convenient for musicians who want consistency in their sound. Additionally, Stonelined Mutes are known for their excellent tuning and ease of use, making it simple for you to achieve the desired tone without unnecessary effort. Whether you're practicing or performing, this mute enhances your playing experience.
Humes & Berg Stonelined Tunable French Horn Mute 134
The Humes & Berg Tunable Horn Mute is designed to give you control over your French horn's sound. It features a straight mute shape, which is great for producing a clear and focused tone. This mute is non-transposing, making it perfect whether you're playing solo or blending within a section. One of its best features is the built-in adjustable slide, allowing you to fine-tune the mute’s tonal color to match your musical needs. With this mute, you have the flexibility to shape your sound exactly how you want it for different performances.
PAMPET French Horn Practice Mute
The PAMPET Horn Mute is a lightweight and affordable practice tool for French horn players. It allows you to practice almost anywhere, ensuring you can hone your skills without disturbing others. The design features a bionic chamber that mimics the natural pressure and resistance of playing, making your practice sessions feel more authentic. Additionally, this mute produces less back pressure compared to other silent mutes, giving you a more comfortable experience while warming up or preparing for a performance. This makes it a perfect choice for music lovers looking to practice quietly at home.
Neotech Adjustable French Horn Hand Grip
The Neotech French Horn Grip offers a secure, non-slip hold that helps you play comfortably without worrying about your hand slipping. Its adjustable design shifts the weight away from your little finger to the back of your hand, making it easier to control your instrument and improve your playing technique and sound. The genuine leather grip, combined with soft padding, ensures you can practice or perform for longer periods without discomfort. Plus, the neoprene pad wrapped in leather protects against moisture, keeping both your hand and your horn in great shape. This grip is a smart choice for any French horn player looking for comfort and better performance.
Yamaha Flugelhorn SILENT Brass Mute PM6X
The Yamaha SILENT Brass Mute is designed to help you practice quietly without sacrificing sound quality. It features a built-in microphone that captures your playing, allowing you to hear yourself clearly even when the mute is in use. You’ll appreciate its accurate tuning across a wide range of notes, which keeps your performance sounding natural and in tune. The mute is also lightweight and compact, so you can easily store your instrument with the mute attached, making transportation hassle-free. Plus, it fits smoothly onto your bell, so attaching and removing it is quick and effortless.
Yamaha French Horn SILENT Brass Mute (PM3X)
The Yamaha French Horn SILENT Brass Mute (PM3X) is a high-performance mute equipped with an internal microphone that can pick up sound. The package is lightweight with dimensions of 23.2 H x 13.7 L x 16.0 W (centimeters), making it easy to transport. This mute is made in China and is designed for French horns.
Yamaha SILENT Brass French Horn System
The Yamaha SILENT Brass System is designed to enhance your playing experience. With its new USB connectivity, you can easily record your sessions directly to a computer or smart device, making it perfect for practice or sharing your music. Attaching and removing the mute is a breeze, allowing you to switch between playing modes quickly. It fits snugly inside the bell of your horn, ensuring it won’t get in the way while you play. Plus, it's incredibly lightweight, so you might even forget it's there. The specially designed mini microphone captures your sound beautifully, providing a great recording experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do French horns have mutes?
Yes, French horns can be muted by inserting a horn straight mute into the bell of the instrument. This mute changes the timbre of the sound but does not affect the pitch produced.
2. What are the different types of horn mutes?
There are three types of mutes for French horns - a stopping mute, a straight mute, and a practice mute. Each mute has its own unique effect on the sound produced by the instrument.
3. How do you play French horn quietly?
To play the French horn quietly, you can adjust the lip opening to produce maximum vibrations, avoid mouthpiece pressure, and maintain steady diaphragm pressure while controlling the airflow with the larynx to release a relatively small stream of air.
4. What are the cons of French horn?
Some cons of the French horn include its large and heavy size, making it difficult for small students to manage. It also has limited performance opportunities in advanced groups, as it is not commonly used in orchestras. Additionally, renting a French horn can be expensive compared to other instruments.
5. Why is the French horn so hard to play?
The French horn is considered difficult to play due to its mechanics and history. It requires endurance and the ability to push steady air through long tubing, sometimes up to 30 feet, all from a narrow mouthpiece. Mastering the French horn takes time and practice.
6. What is the difference between a cup mute and a Harmon mute?
A cup mute and a Harmon mute are two different types of trumpet mutes. While a cup mute has a cup-shaped design, a Harmon mute is either cylindrical or bulbous and round. Unlike the cup mute, the Harmon mute completely restricts all airflow from escaping the bell.
7. What is a Harmon mute?
A Harmon mute, also known as a wa-wa, wow-wow, or wah-wah mute, is a type of mute used in jazz for trumpet and trombone. It has a cork that blocks airflow around the mute, creating a unique sound effect.
8. Why is the French horn so loud?
The French horn, as a member of the brass family, produces a loud sound. It is essentially a long series of pipes that the musician blows into through a mouthpiece. The sound is then amplified and projected out of the flared bell at the other end, resulting in its loudness.
During our french horn mute research, we found 24 french horn mute products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,593 customer reviews through our big data system to write the french horn mutes list. We found that most customers choose french horn mutes with an average price of $79.60.
The french horn mutes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of french horn mutes, including ProTec, Denis Wick, PAMPET, Humes & Berg, Neotech. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.