Trombone plunger mute

1. What does the plunger mute imitate?
2. What does a mute do to a trombone?
3. Who popularized the plunger mute?

What does the plunger mute imitate?

His highly developed skill with a plunger mute was said to imitate the human voice.

What does a mute do to a trombone?

A mute is a device attached to a musical instrument which changes the instrument's tone quality (timbre) or lowers its volume. Mutes are commonly used on string and brass instruments, especially the trumpet and trombone, and are occasionally used on woodwinds.

Who popularized the plunger mute?

First popularized by King Oliver (e.g. “Dippermouth Blues,” 1923), the plunger later became associated with Duke Ellington's band thanks to its use by James “Bubber” Miley (1923-29) and then Charles Melvin “Cootie” Williams (1929-40).