With Thanksgiving a little over a week away, I found myself pondering how family, food, and music are related.  I’ll be visiting family and my kids have already talked about the soundtrack for the drive there and, more importantly, the way back – that’s when it will be ALL CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  Seeing family will mean that my oldest gives her grandparents a little piano recital and my youngest might take her cello to do the same.  We’ve already set the menu full of Thanksgiving classics (and my requested cheesy potatoes).  Seeing my parents and my sisters always puts me in a reflective mood as I take a stroll down memory lane.  Treasured relationships, tasty food, and good music are all things to celebrate on this holiday.  While the three don’t necessarily feel connected, they are certainly all wonderful things that enhance each other. We wish you good times, good food, and good music as we pause and give thanks!

If you’re in the market for a good cello case, right now would be a great time to visit the shop.  Just a snapshot of what we have available at the moment: Bobelock fiberglass cello cases in black, white, sky blue, dark blue, yellow, red, and white. Eastman 18-series cello cases in silver Eastman carbon-fiber in graffiti carbon BAM Newtech in blue Carlisle composite in silver and black Musilia M6 in carbon black and carbon blue I also have Eastman 28-series cases on the way in black, forest green, and blue Come in and pick your favorite!

I looked at the forecast for later this week and did a double-take – is it already winter?!?  The furnace in your residence will be working hard for the first time later this week, so it’s worth talking about what that means for your instrument.  For me, it means being greeted by slipped pegs, loose strings, and open seams when I arrive at the shop.  Although we work hard to keep things humidified, with this many instruments, winter problems are inevitable. Slipped pegs – if you haven’t already started, I suggest tuning your instrument using the pegs quite often this time of year.  You’ll often find that the peg will move farther into the pegbox this time of year and resetting it will keep you from opening your case to loose strings and possibly even a bridge that has fallen over.  If your pegs won’t stay set even after tuning, it might be time to bring your instrument in for us to evaluate.  Peg compound, or even work on the pegs themselves, might be necessary to keep them working properly. Open seams – for cellists and basses in particular, this is the time of year we start worrying about open

One of the most popular “fun” accessories in the shop is cello-shaped violin and viola cases.  The fun shape, range of colors, and ability to be accessorized with stickers are all part of the appeal.  When I got the news that Bobelock was introducing a case with a few unique features, I knew we’d need to have a range of colors here at the shop. Compared to the best-known brand for this style of case, the Bobelock impresses me with its interior layout, wide array of attachment points for straps, and the addition of an included outer case bag with music pouch.  These are all steps to make this style of case a bit more practical for everyday use. I’m offering a special introductory price on these cases – contact us for details!

We often have people come to the shop looking for either an electric instrument (Yamaha YEV instruments are great!) or a way to electrify their acoustic instrument (Realist and Fishman work well!).  What if you could have a great-sounding acoustic instrument that is just a cable away from being electrified?  Eastman recently developed and released a line of acoustic-electric instruments with a pickup under the bridge foot and a unique cable jack at the end button. We recently received the following instruments, all ready for you to try! 200-series Andreas Eastman violin 305-series Andreas Eastman violin Rudolph Doetsch violin 305-series Andreas Eastman cello Stop by and check them out!

As many of you know, I was a cello performance major at Butler University (class of 2000) and studied with Dr. William Grubb.  He hosts Butler Cello Day each fall and has been kind enough to include Encore Orchestral Strings.  I have the opportunity to bring items to show, but more importantly I have the opportunity to answer questions about a broad range of subjects.  This year I was excited to have a David Folland, Christopher Jacoby, and Eugene Holtier cello to show along with a selection of bows from top modern makers and workshops. The Q&A session gives the students present a chance to ask questions about selecting the right instrument and bow, general maintenance, and even my experiences running a shop.  The students invariably ask insightful questions and I also have the pleasure of seeing many individuals in the group I’ve already had the pleasure of helping. One aspect of cello day that is near and dear to my heart is the t-shirt we give away to participants.  My oldest daughter drew a beautiful, abstract cello when she was only 3 years old that graces the front of the shirt.  The students always seem appreciative (who doesn’t love

I love serving my customers in central Indiana.  For most of them, weekly school visits mean I can take care of their repair needs and their accessory needs whether or not it’s convenient for them to come to the shop.  If they’re shopping for an important item, it’s usually easy enough for them to visit so that they can have the greatest choice and selection.  However, we serve ALL of Indiana…and beyond. We’ve matched instruments and bows to individuals in many states and even foreign countries.  While shipping a cello to Germany or South Korea is a memorable process, it’s even more rewarding to serve families at the edges of our state and surrounding areas.  Just today, two families and their orchestra director traveled all the way from Evansville to take advantage of our service and selection.  I take the honor of a seven hour round trip seriously…because I’ve made that drive many times!  I made sure to have a broad selection of instruments available and helped one of the families come in significantly under budget. Whether you are near to the shop or far, we will do everything possible to make sure you have the right instrument, bow, and

I just returned from Northfield, Minnesota after a memorable visit with master luthier David Folland.  He recently completed the cello we ordered from him and it was finally time to play it!  One of the special aspects of this cello is that we provided David beautiful maple for the back of the cello that was cut in 1967.  It’s getting increasingly rare to find such beautiful, well-aged maple. I will certainly post a playing video and some comments in the future, but for now just know that this is one of the finest modern cellos available.  If you are interested in what is possible in a new professional cello, please stop by and play it.

What makes a shop special?  The people.  While Encore and Paige’s receive praise as businesses and physical places, it’s really the people that garner the compliments and loyalty.  When you ask a band director about Paige’s, they’ll usually start talking about their district manager.  When you ask someone about a complicated repair performed on their horn, they’ll usually start talking about the technician who did the work. And if you ask a customer about an experience they had in the store, they’ll usually start talking about the person who helped them. One of the best parts about all the people at Paige’s, Encore, Chops, and the Indy Flute Shop is that we all get along.  Many of us are close friends and those relationships go beyond these walls.  Have a baby?  We bring meals.  Sick?  We come and help out.  In a band? We buy your album and come to the shows.  Hosting a party?  We bring some beer.  Moving?  Well, that’s on you…no one likes helping people move. This picture of Tom and James in the string shop really captures the warmth and fun we all try to bring to work.  Ask just about anyone at Paige’s about their

I know what you’re thinking.  Sometimes…I can read your mind.  You woke up this morning thinking, “Man, you know what I really need in my life? A 5-string carbon fiber cello.”  See?  I can read your mind! There are times when you need something in the shop a little…different.  When I had the opportunity to pick up this Glasser 5-string carbon fiber cello, I decided that the local cellists of Indiana needed the opportunity to play something a few degrees off of normal.  A high E-string, geared pegs, collet-style endpin, and a full compliment of Larsen strings round out this beautiful instrument. I’ve been having a blast trying to play some of the D-major Bach cello suite (the one written for a 5-string instrument) on this cello…it’s been so much fun!  Alternative music styles would be well suited to this instrument and the addition of a pickup would open up an entirely new realm of sound possibilities. Come by and put a bow to it!  

The history of violin making is replete with examples of families passing knowledge and traditions from generation to generation.  Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari might be the most famous, but family traditions also existed in Germany, France, and many others as well.  In 20th and 21st century United States, there are a few notable family traditions but perhaps not as many or as long as some from the past. Because of this, I take particular joy in working with makers involving multiple generations.  One example that comes to mind is Larry and Ben Wilke.  When I take stock of warm memories from my time in this business, I’ll definitely remember selling Ben Wilke’s first cello…not just all of Larry’s beautiful cellos we’ve sold.  I’ve enjoyed representing the bows of master maker Rodney Mohr over the years, but also take joy in selling bows by his daughter, Kate.  Kate recently posted a picture of her son working on a bow – the tradition continues! What are some of your favorite family making traditions?  

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ve already read about how excited I’ve been in anticipation of the arrival of a cello by Christopher Jacoby.  He began work on this instrument while in Lincoln, Nebraska and finished it in his new workshop in Maryland.  If you’re a local cellist, please come in and play this instrument while it’s still here.  A longtime customer was in today and spent about an hour with it…he didn’t want to let it go!  Until you can come and play, please enjoy the photos!

Most of you know by now that Benjamin Parrott is a part of the Encore and Paige’s team.  Ben is an incredible luthier who not only makes professional level new instruments and does fantastic setup work, but he also occasionally finds time to produce these Banfi instruments.  For these, we start with excellent Chinese violins “in the white” (unvarnished).  Ben then adjusts the thickness of the top (the graduation) and adjusts/replaces the bass bar.  He then closes the instrument back up and varnishes it.  Finally, the instrument receives a professional setup by Ben with excellent fittings, bridge, and strings.  The completed instrument is not only an incredible value in its price class, but also competes favorably with instruments costing significantly more. Contact me to take this beautiful violin out on trial and hear it for yourself!  

While leaving the details to Regina, I wanted to celebrate the arrival of the newest member of the Encore/Paige’s family! Regina had a beautiful baby boy today and will be home with her family for the next three months. We’ll miss her while she’s gone but celebrate this new addition to her family!

It’s always fun when new product concepts arrive and Eastman just sent me the first of a new line of acoustic/electric instruments.  The violin I currently have in the shop is one of their Andreas Eastman line but they plan to expand it up the line to include other models.  A pickup in integrated into the top of the instrument under the bass side bridge foot.  A small lead is attached to a combination end button and cable jack. We’ve been playing around with it on our small amplifier in the showroom and it sounds excellent!  I’ll look forward to sending it on trial with someone who has a bigger rig and is going to play it through house sound…I want to see how it sounds in that environment.  Come in and check it out!

My oldest daughter asked to come to work with me this morning.  She’s been coming to Paige’s since before she could walk…and she’s been running around the store ever since she could walk!  Up until today, her visits have been purely for fun – pop bubble-wrap in the warehouse, run through the plastic garage doors, have me push her around on a cart, ask Tom for M&M’s in the shop, bounce balls with members of the sales staff, etc.  This morning I offered her the chance to help me with a project that has been on the back burner and she readily volunteered.  I gave her instructions and about ten minutes of training on the one task in our computer system she’d need to execute.  It took her about 90 minutes to get through the project and it was a huge help to me. All of this got me thinking about how our business – and other businesses – get passed down from one generation to the next.  Paige’s Music has been Indiana owned and operated since 1871…we’re coming up on 150 years!  How do you pass down the DNA of a business over multiple generations?  Many books and Harvard

A couple of years ago, a discussion with then-Nebraska-based luthier Christopher Jacoby resulted in us ordering a cello.  After a move to the east coast, adding another baby to the family, and a new job, it sounds like the cello should be here in the next few months!  One of the features of the instrument that has me excited is the maple used for the back.  During a visit to my friend Kurt Widenhouse in North Carolina, I bought a 35-year-old piece of domestic maple large enough for a one-piece cello back.  It will be wonderful to finally “hear” this piece of wood I saw nearly every time I visited Kurt over the past 25 years. Besides being an incredible luthier, Chris is also involved in a podcast called “OMO”.  If you haven’t checked it out, please do!  Chris and Rozie tackle many topics related to the world of violin making.  Chris is also involved in “The Scroll”, the magazine associated with the Violin Society of America. I am excited to finally hear the voice of this cello! (the photo below is of a slice of the one-piece maple back that I turned into a coffee table)

I get the chance to work with young musicians every day and they often ask for advice about being a successful musician.  While much of the advice I’ve given out over the years mirrors these lists by professional oboist Pamela Ajango, I’ve never summarized them as elegantly or eloquently as hers.  Regardless of your profession or age, these lists are well worth the time to read.  Lists to live by! Hi friends, I’ve been writing some lists on my phone with the goal of making them into posters for my studio. Here are some initial thoughts (from this old freelancer – 20+ years professional and still going strong!). Perhaps they’ll be useful to some of my younger musician friends. Feel free to share your thoughts/additions! THE FREELANCING MUSICIAN TO BE SUCCESSFUL: 1. Play great! 2. Be low maintenance 3. Be friendly 4. Be a quick thinker 5. Be a flexible and adaptable player 6. Be comfortable playing many styles 7. Don’t make excuses 8. Don’t worry about your competition 9. Don’t gossip about others 10. Be professional, courteous, and on-time, no matter what. KNOW WHAT YOU CAN/CAN’T CONTROL: 1. You can control how well you play. You can’t control how others