Britton Watson

Practicing Over Winter Break

We like to share this post each year to give you some ideas for practicing at home over break! You’ve made it through the first half of the school year! For many of you, that means you’ve probably played a few concerts, recently completed your marching band season, or maybe you’re headed to the Rose Parade. With winter comes the thrill of pep band, the improvisation of jazz band, the spinning of winter guard, or the rhythms of winter percussion. You know by now, being a musician is a never-ending process with performances and rehearsals perpetually around the corner.

Dec 17, 2019 No Comments

Guidelines For Indiana All-State Band Audition Preparation

The All-State Band is one of the most prestigious audition-based ensembles any student can perform with! It is an ensemble made up of elite musicians from all corners of the state. The audition application deadline is Friday, December 6, 2019. Auditions for this prestigious ensemble are on January 12, 2019. More information can be found here Here are some guidelines for audition preparation:

Dec 4, 2019 No Comments

The Super Sale is this week!

Our Super Sale is this week we go ALL OUT. Read more below on how it works. Here’s how this works Visit our store Thursday, November 21 through Saturday, November 23. Draw a ticket for 5-50% off your purchase. There really are tickets for 50% off. And we do not limit savings to bargain items. Customers have literally saved THOUSANDS on everything from Buffet Clarinets to Altus flutes to Yamaha trumpets.

Nov 19, 2019 No Comments

2019 November SuperSale at Paige’s Music

We go ALL OUT for the Paige’s Music Super Sale. Here’s how this works Visit our store Thursday, November 21 through Saturday, November 23. Draw a ticket for 5-50% off your purchase. There really are tickets for 50% off. And we do not limit savings to bargain items. Customers have literally saved THOUSANDS on everything from Buffet Clarinets to Altus flutes to Yamaha trumpets. Prefer to rent? We’ve got you covered. All tickets will give you two to four months off ANY premier instrument on our rent-to-own program. This includes intermediate and professional trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, and much more. You still get all the same great Paige’s rent-to-own benefits that made us famous. Free repair and replacement? Check. Easy exchange? Check. Easy return? Check. Early purchase discount options? Check. Do you offer traditional financing? YES. We offer special financing on Yamaha instruments. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 18 months. Minimum monthly payments required. Financing offered through Synchrony. We offer special financing on Conn-Selmer instruments. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not

Nov 5, 2019 No Comments

Save Your Chops!

Indiana falls are beautiful. The chapped lips fall brings are not. This can happen for any number of reasons: perhaps the air is very dry. Practicing outside in marching band is especially hard on your lips. Heaters dry out the air when you are inside. Your “Chops” are one the most important pieces of brass and woodwind performance. If they are dry and cracked, it becomes incredibly uncomfortable to play your instrument at all. Here are some things to keep in mind to protect your lips!

Sep 17, 2019 No Comments

How to Ease back into Playing After Summer Break

I speak from experience when I say that playing after a long break is tough! If you haven’t picked your instrument up in a few weeks, it can be really difficult to play! Everything feels alien—your chops swell up, you get exhausted after a few notes, you lose your range, and etc. I get it, I get it—hanging out at the pool with your friends is more fun than playing concert F for 30 minutes a day. Here are a few tips to ease you back into playing after summer break:

Aug 6, 2019 No Comments

3 Reasons Why Marching Band Will Help You Win at Life

Marching band is as “Indiana” as the famed pork tenderloin at Nick’s Kitchen (Huntington, IN). We know form Google analytics that the Japanese and Indonesians cannot get enough of the Avon and Carmel marching band performances. Directors from all over the country come to learn from the extraordinary talent that make these programs run like clockwork. Marching band is an absolutely positive addiction. I could cite any number of studies that show correlation between music education and academic achievement, creativity, and etc., I am not going to bore you with that—after all those are usually statistics that can be read in a variety of days. I do want to talk about what are real life benefits outside of the classroom. Here are three that I live every day:

Jul 9, 2019 No Comments

The Debut Rental Program at Paige’s Music – 4 Easy Ways To Get A Band or Orchestra Instrument For Your Student

At Paige’s Music, we partner with hundreds schools throughout the state for easy and convenient acquisition of band and orchestra instruments. For many families, the easiest option is to rent. Renting with Paige’s Music is a great opportunity to participate in music-making. We make rental easy and convenient and provide you with peace of mind. Here’s how our rental program works:

Jun 4, 2019 No Comments

FAQ?: What should I do with my instrument this summer?

Ignoring those bell dents? Send your instrument in for repair. Sticky flute pads? Send your instrument in for repair. Is your instrument dirty? Send it in for cleaning. If you have a rental instrument, all repair and maintenance is already covered and you should make use of your included coverage whenever an issue of any sort arises. Sending in your instrument during summer break means you are less likely to miss any valuable rehearsal or class time. Should I return my rental instrument? You should keep your rental instrument over the summer if your student is going to continue in band or orchestra next school year. Your student will be able to practice and be ready to play once the new school year begins. Your student should make an effort to pick up and play their instrument every day and play it even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will keep them engaged ready to go and make it easy to return to class and rehearsal without having to worry about re-learning their instrument. You should only return your rental instrument if you are absolutely certain your student will not continue in their band and orchestra class next

May 21, 2019 No Comments

Is competition in music a good thing?

Perhaps there is more to life than winning first chair, winning the gold medal in ISSMA Orchestra competition, or winning the Bands of America Grand National Championship. In my time as a musician from middle school through the collegiate level I often heard that music is not a competition. This has come from parents and teachers who want to believe that music education is solely about art. Several studies that indicate the study of music helps students become more creative, more intelligent, etc. (You can find these on our Monday posts titled “Truth in Music Education”). Artistry and intelligence is important, so is preparing for the competition that is everyday life. Perhaps artistry and intelligence are source of the “good life” but make no mistake that one must prepare for the stresses and strains of modern life. I fully believe that the competitive component of music education is one of the most important learning experiences every student can have.

May 7, 2019 No Comments

Graduate To Yamaha 2019

Graduation typically means ordering an over-priced cap and gown, long ceremonies with longer speeches, open house celebrations, and more pictures than you may ever want to take. Thankfully musicians can enjoy a more pertinent graduation in the form of the Graduate to Yamaha promotion!

Apr 9, 2019 No Comments

Paige’s Music – Music Madness Sale – March 21-23, 2019

Shoot and Save From March 21st through the 23rd you’ll be able to come in to the store for some great savings. You will receive a scratch-off game “ticket”. Scratch off your ticket to reveal your discount. Then, shoot and make a basket to double your savings! Each family gets a warm-up shot, and then you let the real thing fly. The savings range from 5% – 20% off our already low prices. If you are in the market for an instrument, now is the time to come in to scratch, shoot and save! Two great ways to save! Shoot for extra savings or take advantage of our 12 Months Same-As-Cash offer. 12 Months Same-As-Cash Rather have financing options instead of a discount? During the sale you can chose to finance your purchase for 12 months with No Interest. Just one more reason to stop in and see us during our Music Madness Sale March 21st through the 23rd! *Rules of the Game: Scratch off game “ticket” will reveal your discount. Shoot for your additional discount: Guaranteed 5%. Or, make a shot to possibly double your ticket discount! One shot per family. One instrument per family. Good towards any in-stock

Mar 5, 2019 No Comments

Tips For Attending ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble

ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble is this weekend at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Here are some tips to prepare for everything you need to consider beyond your music performance! 1. Be There Early I am quite sure your director and private instructor has told you to be early for rehearsals, concerts, and etc. You definitely want to be early when it comes to Solo and Ensemble. You never know what could happen—the weather might be terrible and it may take twice as long as you planned, the performance order may change, a performance room might change, you might have issues with your instrument…anything can and probably will happen! Being early doesn’t fix these problems, but if definitely gives you the chance to get in the right headspace and deal with any problems effectively.

Feb 19, 2019 No Comments

Don’t Let Your Instrument Be Cold

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenpete/5522933139 Over the past few weeks central Indiana has experienced dramatic changes in temperatures—in a span of 4 days there was a temperature swing of 75 degrees! These dramatic fluctuations in temperature can wreak havoc on instruments. Cold weather in particular will cause serious issues with your instrument if you are not taking proper care of it.

Feb 5, 2019 No Comments

The Importance Of Breathing Well

The most important factor in brass and woodwind performance is breathing. If you aren’t breathing well, it is very difficult to achieve a great sound on a wind instrument. The best instruments in the world won’t sound great unless you are breathing well! Here is a short exercise that will enhance your awareness of your breathing:

Jan 15, 2019 No Comments

2018 Yamaha Trunk Sale at Paige’s Music

BEAT THE TAX – SAVE AT LEAST 7%: All instruments purchased that day will save at least an extra 7%. No reason to shop online for cyber deals! The savings are better at Paige’s Music. HUGE SELECTION: Paige’s Music will have an increased selection of Yamaha step up instruments at big discounts. Choose from several intermediate to professional flutes, piccolos, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, French horns, and more! All at extra savings! DOUBLE YAMAHA REBATES: Earn Double Rebates! Purchase any qualified Yamaha ‘Step-Up’ Intermediate level band instrument between now and December 31, 2018 and receive a $50 mail-in rebate. On Saturday, December 15, 2018 this rebate will double to $100! Purchase any qualified Yamaha ‘Step-Up’ Professional or Custom level band instrument between now and December 31, 2018 and receive a $100 mail-in rebate. On Saturday, December 15, 2018 this rebate will Double to $200! SALE IS ON SATURDAY, December 15, 2087 ONLY.

Dec 4, 2018 No Comments

Why a professional instrument might be perfect for your student.

There are numerous reasons that make professional instruments the ideal instrument for advancing players. The term “professional” does not mean high-end instruments should only be used by professional players—in many cases they are the perfect instrument for the serious music student. Professional instruments provide extraordinary features and outstanding value for their prospective players. 1. Quality The biggest advantage of professional-level instruments is quality: play quality, build quality, tone quality, etc. Professional instruments are designed to satisfy professional-level players. They are play tested by the best and go through numerous iterations before they appear in the showroom. This boundless quest to build the highest quality instrument means you only see the best products in a manufacturer’s repertoire.

Nov 13, 2018 No Comments

Our Favorite Blogs

One great thing about writing a blog is that you get to read a number of other blogs. Like music education itself, The blogosphere isn’t a great pit of competition, it is an entity that is always trying to improve through practice, influence, and collaboration to achieve higher levels of skill and performance. Here are a few of my favorite blogs I’ve encountered that I read on a weekly basis:

Oct 3, 2017 No Comments

Which valve oil is right for my instrument? FAQ

At Paige’s Music, we are frequently asked “what valve oil do you recommend”? This answer can vary depending on the type and age of instrument as well as specific player preferences. Here is a short overview of our most popular options.

Sep 12, 2017 No Comments

Paige’s Music Premier Rental Program

Our premier rental program is just that: an affordable and risk-free way to experience the finest instruments in the world. Whether you are looking for an instrument that is a step-up from what you have to worldwide renowned instruments played in the finest bands and orchestras. Paige’s Music provides a wide assortment of options at great prices.

Aug 22, 2017 No Comments