deepthought4200

Thanks for the advice. I've heard a lot of people say that the stem is almost never used, but since it is part of the mute I think it's worth keeping. I bought a bottle of Selmer cork/slide grease and applied a very thin layer (not enough to make a mess). It worked very well; the stem stays in now and the grease is barely noticeable.

trpt2345

I have no idea where my harmon stem even is.


Michael McLaughlin

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Chicago MM

BEKanak

I put a little anhydrous lanolin on it. Stays put and slides smoothly. Use the same stuff on my tuning and 2nd valve slide. 3 ou. jar has lasted about 20 years.

geoT

If you throw your stem away, you're robbing yourself of one more color you can call on. Also, over the years I've had many parts notated in the way that Mr. Wise suggests, in many different contexts. I love, and have often recorded harmon solos with the stemless Miles sound which we all love, but take a listen to the many solos and fills played by the great Sweets Edison on Basie and Sinatra cuts. Very often ( not always, but often) he used harmon with the stem in and extented - a very classic 40's sound. Save that stem !
George Tidwell

Vulgano Brother

In "pops" writing for symphony orchestra the "+ 0" notation is common enough, although I have no idea what the violists do with it!

And, uhh, without a stem, how could it be called a "wah-wah mute?"

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geoT

Another nice harmon sound, though a little off topic since it doesn't involve the stem, is to use the stemless mute with a plunger ( obviously with a mic if possible) . It's a nice different, cool sound. Sorry to veer a bit... george tidwell