Alternatives to Plunger Mutes

[Rapier]

Some people like to drill a small hole in the end of said sink plunger so as not to stop the sound and air so completely when you cover the bell up. I personally haven't bothered.

The Made for purpose mutes have a couple of small holes in them.

[trumpetmike]

The Made for purpose mutes have a couple of small holes in them.

Some do, some don't.

[Rapier]

Some do, some don't.

Fair enough, although I don't know how you know, seeing as you prefer the pikey option.

[trumpetmike]

Fair enough, although I don't know how you know, seeing as you prefer the pikey option.

I use a sink plunger, doesn't mean I don't own a few others (both forms of H&B and a Wick). I prefer the sound of the real sink plunger.

[its_jon]

what a plunger does is to get in the way of what your expensive instrument does.
Its still a expensive instrument, your simply using something to channel and modify its output. your hand on its own can work well if you just need a subtle effect.

personal technique is important when using a plunger of any type... unlike a stick in mute where you usually play as normal, using a plunder of any type requires a bit more player input.

sink plungers are more or less perfect ergonomically, sonically and finantially.

don't rule out a half coconut shell, I have one of those in my mute bag as well as a bowler hat.
Whatever works for the sound (and visual impact in more cases than not)
Sometimes we use a midget mute inside the bell whilst also using a plunger over the top, so a larger plunger is better in this event.

[stevetrom]

best alternative to a plunger (or any other) mute - no mute

Mutes should be discarded forever, they just distort the true sound.

Oh, and walking on stage to play Pagannini Variations in a contest as a trombone player with:
registration card
ticket
straight mute
cup mute
harmon mute
music
oh, and a trombone

is damn near impossible !