[Dixielandjazz] Clarinet mutes

[Anton Crouch]

Hello all

I haven't seen the Hal Kemp soundie but it's at least possible that the
"lampshades" on the clarinets are mutes.

Manufactured clarinet mutes (of unknown construction) are mentioned in an
18th century catalogue of military instruments and in the 19th century both
Spontini ("Fernand Cortez") and Berlioz ("Lélio") called for the muting of
the clarinets, by tying a leather bag over the bell.

The more interesting question is "why would the bandleader mute the
clarinets?"

Now there's a thread for a quiet July.

All the best
Anton