I saw on Crowther's oboe shop website that they sell an oboe mute. Does anyone know how they work? Would they enable me to practice the oboe late at night without disturbing the neighbours?

Sounds good to me.....I'd like to know more too!

I'm sure I read in a theory book somewhere that oboists achieve mutes by sticking handkerchiefs down the end of their instruments .

I didn't know there was such a thing! I would also like to find out more, being an oboist!



I also read somewhere that oboists achieve A below the stave by putting a toilet roll in the end...
I tried it, but I had to cut the toilet roll then sellotape it, so it sounds horrible...

Yes, some orchestral pros push a silk hanky or small silk scarf into the bell when they want to create a rather distant muted sound. Don't push it too far in, otherwise there's too much thickness and you won't get any sound at all, especially if trying to play a low C or Bb.

I can acheive a muted effect on my oboe by leaving the dryers in the bottom joint It makes the low notes very difficult to play though