TromboneChat

I hear the solo in Rhapsody in Blue performed most often with a Harmon mute and wa-wa effect. I know wa-wa style mutes were common for trumpet when RiB was written, but as far as I understand, not so much for trombone. What mute do you suppose Gershwin intended for the trombone solo? Perhaps a Solotone?

I have always used a Harmon, but I hear a lot of people suggesting a Solotone. I think either is acceptable.

Jim Scott

Apparently 'twas originally a "Harmon."
https://tomcrownmutes.com/iv-wah-wah/

Steve Trapani makes a nice, lightweight 3-D printed tenor trombone Wah-Wah/Harmon-Style Mute - I prefer it to the heavier, slightly ungainly but authentic Humes & Berg "Wa-Wah Du All" mute.
http://www.trapanimutes.com/available-mutes.html

I'm willing to sell my Humes & Berg version - but shipping expense may be a slight barrier (probably ~$20).

It sounds like a Harmon on the 1924 record.

No it does not sound like harmon, it does sound like solotone.

I have one of the red Stone Lined “Wa-Wah Du All” mutes that Posunus posted and my opinion is the same as any “Harmon” style mute I’ve ever tried: I don’t think anyone who specifies a Harmon mute for trombone has ever heard one. While it lets the user make a wa-wa sound, the tone is so tubby and not at all like a trumpet Harmon.

I chose to use a vintage Shastock “Solo-Tone” mute in rehearsal last night and I think it is the perfect sound. The length of the mute makes the wa-wa effect awkward, (especially on a large bore w/F horn) but the sound is spot on.

onetrombone wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2026 5:22 pm What mute do you suppose Gershwin intended for the trombone solo? Perhaps a Solotone?

Gershwin's manuscript is on IMSLP. It only has two grand staves: one for jazz band, and one for piano. I don't think he had any "intention" for a wah wah effect at all.
The question then becomes what was Grofé's intent as an orchestrator.

Warner Brothers' 1945 recreation of the premiere looks like a Harmon to me, but I'm not sure that counts for anything.

I think that recording is a Harmon. It's not a pixie with a plunger, but that's another possibility for that kind of sound. I've got a solotone and never put a hand over it for a wah wah sound. Harmon or plunger or hat for that.

Olofson wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 2:29 am No it does not sound like harmon, it does sound like solotone.

Agreed. Sounds like a solotone to me, maybe a mel-o-wah.

hyperbolica wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 9:56 pm I think that recording is a Harmon. It's not a pixie with a plunger, but that's another possibility for that kind of sound. I've got a solotone and never put a hand over it for a wah wah sound. Harmon or plunger or hat for that.

Wah-wah on solotone is standard practice, some shows call for it for example (e.g. Cabaret).

The warner bros vid sure looks and sounds like a non-metal harmon style mute, but also sounds completely different from the recording AtomicClock posted.