Copperhead mutes

An accessory as carefully crafted as the instrument itself. Copperhead is the first brass mutes designed to uphold the quality and finesse demanded by the world’s greatest orchestras. After five years of iterative design, field testing, licensing, and redesigning, Generation 3 Copperhead Mutes will be released by TorpedoBags in 2019.

Scope

After researching manufacturing processes for mute production and completing archival research on the history and function of many types of brass mutes, I set out to replicate existing designs as a side project. Through iterations of research, design, and testing I arrived at a combination of material geometry that fulfilled the performance needs of professional musicians better than existing products. Through the next three years slow tweaking of form, materials, and fabrication took place while I sold my mutes through my company, Brehm Mutes, LLC and a number of online distributors.

Research and Insights

I used both qualitative and quantitative research including white space analysis, surveys, finite elements analysis, field testing, and ethnographies in professional orchestras to create design requirements.The criteria included values for price point, durability, and weight as well as qualitative goals for aesthetic language, tone quality, and ergonomics.

Further Development and licensing

After five years of iterative design, field testing, licensing, and redesigning, Generation 3 Copperhead Mutes will be released by TorpedoBags in 2019. The third generation includes four new body materials, refined surface finish, and wider public distribution. Future development will continue to hone materials and form to meet the needs of partnering musicians.