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[Exzaclee]

HEy guys;
   Any body know how to develop the YA YA sound that Ed Neumeister and Quentin Jackson are able to get in there plunger solos?  I heard it on a duke album that butter played on years ago, can't remember the album now, and i picked up Ed Neumeister's "The Mohican and The Great Spirit" a while ago and he uses it there to.  It's  GREAT sound for plunger playing, and i can't figure out how to do it...

any ideas?

[Jeff Albert]

I pixie mute inside the plunger helps.  Try using ya as your articulation syllable.  I can't do it like Ed, but these have gotten me a little closer.

[Erling]

You need a nonpareil to even approximate that sound. . . .and then the technique. . . .I can't do it, not even close. Using the pixie. Just ordered a nonpareil from Irvin (slidebone.com). That's the closest in equipment. But the HOW TO is another story. Art Baron knows how to.

[griffinben]

The Nonpareil will get you a sound closer to Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, it's unique and difficult, period.  I don't have the non pariel so I can't tell you about the technique.  The Pixie will get you a sound more like Qunetin "Butter" Jackson's.  The best way to go about it is Experiment, experiment, experiment.  It's different on different horns, where the mute is, if you modify the mute, etc.  But you can't get the "Yah" without  some kind of mute in the bell under the plunger.

Some things to check out  Get a couple of different plungers...cut the inside ring out from the inside and cut a hole in the middle and stick a dime or a nickle in it so you can turn it on and off.  That'll work on some, not others...Experiment with these for a while.

When you find a plunger/mute combintation that works, you have to hold the plunger in a way that will allow you lots of movement of your hand while retaining some modicum of control.  Don't close the plunger all the way onto the bell, but let it come close to the edge...maybe a 1/2" to 1/4" away from sealing and quickly (but not too quickly) pull away at a 90 degree angle (Like a gate on a hinge).  This will give you more of the "Yah" sound than sealing the plunger to the bell completely (more Wah).  Remember, even when you aren't fully covering the bell, the position of the plunger will affect the sound. 

The register you are in will also have an effect on the "Yah".  Some notes just seem to lock in better than others, though the pixie is a little more consistent that the Nonpareil.

Confusing enough?  You gotta experiment and find what works best for you.

I hope Ed is around an posts on this, I would love to hear what he has to say about it.

Good luck!
-Ben