“Put a Sock in It!” Mutes for Musical Horns

Introduction “Take the A Train” was first recorded by Duke Ellington and his orchestra in January 1941 and rapidly became the signature tune of this famous swing band. The recording (which can be heard at bit.ly/3pr3g7e), features two solos improvised by trumpeter Ray Nance. In the first solo, which starts around 50 seconds into the recording, Nance conjures a thin, edgy sound quality from his instrument; in the second solo, beginning at 1 minute 50 seconds, the full brassy brilliance of the trumpet is unleashed. How was this remarkable transformation of timbre achieved?