Trombone Mute

[Chas]

I am curious about the mute that Curtis Fuller is using in this photograph . Looks like something Curtis made himself by cutting holes in a chamois . I suppose you could modify a Softone neoprene mute to look like this , but to what end ? I mean , what timbral effect or tone quality does that particular pattern of holes provide ? Would this type of mute have less impact on pitch accuracy when compared with other mute types ? I would think that staying in tune while muted ( through lip control or slide position adjustment ) would be important in ensemble or section work , unless everyone is using the same mute . Would the kind of mute Curtis is using in this photograph be one that could be used when the score direction is " In Velvet " or " Cloth " ?

EDIT : To fix dead image link .

Edited January 14, 2007 by Chas