Tucker Woerner

Shires Trombone Day at Paige’s Music

On Saturday, September 19, 2020 Paige’s Music will host Chris Van Hof, Professor of Trombone at Ball State University, in partnership with S.E. Shires. Visitors will be given the opportunity to play test S.E. Shires custom trombones, Q-Series trombones, and the newly released Q41S euphonium. In addition to our enhanced inventory, visitors will get the chance to discuss Ball State University’s trombone area and get individualized feedback on equipment and musicianship from Chris Van Hof. Appointments are required for this event. To sign up for an appointment please visit: http://www.paigesmusic.com/paiges/run?id=6&_tid=441&lvid=485. Below is a list of the S.E. Shires Models that will be available for in-store testing and purchase on September 19, 2020. Q41S Euphonium Joseph Alessi Custom Signature Model Trombone Joseph Alessi Q Series Model Trombone Q30YA Q36YR Vintage New York TBCH with Axial Valve George Curran Signature Model Bass Trombone

Sep 11, 2020 No Comments

What Is A Contrabass Trombone?

Recently I had the opportunity to work with two customers who own very well made contrabass trombones. One was a beautiful Kanstul, and the other was a pristine Jurgen Voigt contrabass trombone. Like saxophones, the trombone comes in many different registers or voices that mirror vocal ranges. The most popular type of trombone is the tenor trombone, but soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass trombones exist and are used professionally. A misunderstood instrument, many are under the false impression that the contrabass trombone is a slide tuba. It is actually just a larger, lower trombone pitched in the key of F instead of the typical key of Bb.

Jul 23, 2020 No Comments

Delfeayo Marsalis – Artist Spotlight

Delfeayo Marsalis stands as one of today’s forefront jazz trombonists. An NEA Jazz Master, Marsalis brings both heritage and innovation to the instrument. His robust and pure sound draws influence from jazz greats of the swing and bebop eras while contributing his own unique personality. His playing is filled with grace, humor, and technical virtuosity.

Jul 10, 2020 No Comments

Artist Spotlight: Al Grey

Born June 6, 1925, Al Grey was one of the most recorded trombonists of all time. In addition to dozens of albums as a leader, Grey served as a sideman to Count Basie, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, and countless other quintessential artists. His sound and phrasing are unmistakable, but he is perhaps best remembered for his innovative approach to the plunger mute.

Jun 25, 2020 No Comments

Online Summer Music Workshops

A lot of on-site summer music camps have been cancelled, but there are still plenty of options available to study online. Here are just a few I found for low brass players.

Jun 11, 2020 No Comments

Five Summer Trombone Resources

Looking for some options to keep your skills progressing over the summer? Here are 5 summer trombone resources that you can use without leaving your house!

May 28, 2020 No Comments

Three At-Home Music Resources For Listening At Home

Finding music to listen to can be a tough challenge if you don’t know what to look for. There is simply so much content out there that sorting through everything to find the good stuff can be tricky. Fortunately for you some of the world’s leading music organizations have already done this for you. Check out what they’ve put together!

May 15, 2020 No Comments

Perhaps The Most Influential Trombone Solo

Originally composed in 1837, Ferdinand David’s Concertino for Trombone, Op. 4 is perhaps the most important trombone solo in our repertoire. It is asked for as a part of nearly every classical audition for tenor trombone. If you are an aspiring trombonist, this should be part of your regular listening and practice regimen.

Apr 25, 2020 No Comments

I’ll Remember to Practice Trombone in April

By now we’ve all probably had some extra time to practice our trombones. If you have the time, but you’ve been lacking motivation, here are some April themed recordings with amazing trombonists to check out. Jim Pugh, Curtis Fuller, and JJ Johnson knock it out of the park on these tunes!

Apr 9, 2020 No Comments

Five Online Resources To Keep Busy While Quarantining

If you are one of the “essential workers” out there, I would like to personally thank you for your hard work. If you are a “non-essential worker” you’re probably finding yourselves with a little extra time. It’s easy to get sucked into new shows and movies, and I have definitely been guilty of that myself. My biggest advice for those of you at home right now is to create a daily schedule and to-do list. This should include general upkeep to your home and yourself, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to dedicate some extra time to our musicianship. Here are five online resources to keep you busy while quarantining:

Mar 26, 2020 No Comments

Trombone Etiquette For A Healthy Musicician

Let’s face it. Germs are a hot button issue right now. We should all take proper precautions every day, but there are many things that trombonists let slide (pun absolutely intended. I’m not proud). Here are some very common and very avoidable issues that many brass players make.

Mar 12, 2020 No Comments

Last Minute Solo and Ensemble Tips

I get it. Performing as a soloist might not be the most comfortable experience for you now, but with more practice and the right mindset, soloing can become one of your favorite ways to play. Here are seven tips on how to set yourself up for success at solo and ensemble.

Feb 27, 2020 No Comments

Artist Spotlight: Christian Lindberg

Born February 15, 1958, Christian Lindberg is the most prolific trombone soloist in modern history. For over 40 years, he has been a full-time soloist, and he has premiered works by Arvo Part, Luciano Berio, and Michael Nyman among others. Having recorded over 60 solo albums as a trombonist, Lindberg has also recorded dozens of albums as a conductor. His signature model Conn 88HCL trombone is available through Paige’s Music. To learn more about Christian Lindberg and his music please visit https://www.allmusic.com/artist/christian-lindberg-mn0001649636/biography Lindsberg’s Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNqsDg0CDcW0_reUddAWj0Q Christian Lindberg 2019 Full Tokyo Recital

Feb 14, 2020 No Comments

JJ Johnson – Artist Spotlight

JJ Johnson is regarded by many as the most important and influential trombonist of all time. His sound, phrasing, and harmonic language have sculpted the sound of the modern jazz trombone. The clarity and elegance of Johnson’s playing remain the benchmark. His international career was solidified his status as a consummate musician known for being an all-time great writer and player. Johnson was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, and he attended Crispus Attucks High School. Here is an excellent, concise biography by Scott Yanow at All Music.

Jan 16, 2020 No Comments

My Top Three Christmas Albums with Trombones

With the holiday season upon us, I’d like to give you some listening suggestions for some incredible Christmas music that heavily features trombones. Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite On this timeless classic, Duke Ellington took favorites from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet and adapted them for jazz orchestra. This is album is one of the all-time great jazz records that shows Ellington’s genius in transforming music that we’ve all heard time and time again into something both familiar and completely unique.

Dec 19, 2019 No Comments

Tommy Dorsey

Tommy Dorsey November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956 Throughout his 35 years career as a professional trombonist and bandleader, Tommy Dorsey established himself as one of the most popular musicians of his era. It’s often forgotten that the musicians we study now were the elite popular musicians of their time. During the 1930s and 1940s Dorsey had 286 Billboard chart hits, including 17 number one singles. In addition to his commercial success, Dorsey’s signature style has been adopted by generations of musicians. His slide vibrato, phrasing, and fluidity have inspired countless trombonists, and Frank Sinatra cited Dorsey as one of his primary influences. Sinatra was a member of the Tommy Dorsey orchestra from 1940-1942, and he can be heard on 80 records with the band. In the classical realm, Dorsey’s playing has been attributed as one of the primary inspirations for Henri Tomasi’s “Concerto for Trombone.” For more information about Dorsey please visit https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tommy-dorsey-mn0000934072/biography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmb_ae35QWU

Nov 14, 2019 No Comments

Jared Rodin Clinic at Paige’s Music – November 6th at 7PM – FREE!

Jared Rodin is one of the most active and successful musicians in the area. As a performer, educator, and contractor he must always deliver at the highest level. Learn his approach to making music at this free masterclass hosted by Paige’s Music. More information and how to register is available at the Eventbrite page below! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-the-most-out-of-your-practice-with-jared-rodin-tickets-76817847249

Oct 24, 2019 No Comments

Conn-Selmer Artist Select trombones now at Paige’s Music

On September 23, 2019 Paige’s Music participated in the Conn-Selmer Artist Select program. This program allows professionals to hand select and play test each instrument from the factory to ensure that only the finest instruments are available to customers. K. Blake Schlabach and Tucker Woerner carefully play tested dozens of instruments, and we are happy to say that our top five selections are now available at Paige’s Music.

Oct 10, 2019 No Comments

Local Craftsmen – World Class Instruments

On Monday, September 23, 2019 I was fortunate to visit the Conn-Selmer plant in Elkhart, IN. The point of this visit was to tour the facility, and to personally select professional instruments for the inventory at Paige’s Music. With the help of K. Blake Schlabach, we picked out a collection of Bach Stradivarius 42BOs as well as a King 3B and Bach Stradivarius 12. Through Conn-Selmer’s “Artist Select” program we are able to hand pick each instrument after play testing and inspection to ensure that only the very finest instruments are available to our customers. In a world with more and more automation it is easy to forget that many of our goods rely on highly skilled craftsmen to complete very precise tasks. Touring the facility and meeting the craftsmen gave real insight into what it takes to make a professional level instrument. Below you will see pictures of some of the steps it takes to create a bell for a brass instrument.

Sep 26, 2019 No Comments

Improving at Improvising

As jazz band auditions and rehearsals are starting for middle schools and high school students across the state I get a lot of questions about how to improvise on trombone. Becoming a successful improviser takes time, practice, and creativity. Here are some tips that will get you in the right direction to improve at improvising.

Sep 12, 2019 No Comments