Instruments

Digging deeper into cold weather issues

Every year around this time it seems like we get a nice little arctic blast in the Midwest, and this one is truly going to be one for the record books. Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that I have previously written about avoiding temperature extremes with your instrument, but I wanted to dive a little deeper into the “why” of what exactly happens when a flute or piccolo is exposed to extreme cold–say, when it is left in a car overnight. With just a little foresight and care, you can avoid potentially costly repair issues during the cold and dry that often occurs this time of year. There are two issues that can cause potential damage to instruments when dealing with cold weather: the temperatures themselves, including fluctuations (between cold and warm buildings, transport, etc); and low humidity levels, especially in buildings with older heat systems. I read a statistic from the Flute Pro Shop that the average concert hall, with the lights up, has the same humidity level as Death Valley! That’s…dry. Even if you don’t frequent concert halls, the air in your homes, performing venues, and workplaces is significantly drier than

Jan 29, 2019 No Comments

Flute d’Amore

Happy Tundra Tuesday from Central Indiana! This week I wanted to highlight a member of the flute family that does not usually get a lot of attention: the flute d’amore. Although practical in a jazz setting, the beautiful tone of this flute makes it worth a closer look in the concert setting as well. The Flute d’amore is pitched in either A or B♭ and is between the size of the modern C concert flute and the alto flute in G. However, unlike the alto flute, the ratio between the bore diameter and tube length is much more similar to the same as in the concert flute, in contrast to the alto flute, which has a wider bore in relation to its tube length. This allows the flute d’amore to have a more mellow tone color without losing the quality of sound in the upper octaves. In general, it has a softer sound than a standard flute. When used in jazz, the B♭ version is usually implemented to complement the tenor saxophone and clarinet, as both are in B♭. The Flauto d’Amore was originally made in the Baroque era (c.1700) when wind instruments began to gain more importance. It was

Jan 22, 2019 4 Comments

Yamaha Trunk Sale 2018

The sales just keep on coming! If you are still thinking about upgrading your flute student to an intermediate or semi-professional flute, Saturday December 15 is a great time to stop in the Indy Flute Shop at Paige’s Music, where we will be having our annual Yamaha Trunk Sale! This will be our last sale of the year, so you definitely want to put this one in your calendar. In the flute shop, the instruments that will be featured in the Trunk Sale will be the Yamaha 500-700 series. For more information about these amazing and competitively priced semi-professional instruments, check out this link. Of course, if you are looking for a versatile and affordable step-up instrument, the intermediate series flutes are a great option as well. And did I mention discounts? AND rebates? Well, you’ll get both on Saturday the 15th! All in-stock instruments purchased on this day will qualify for a 7% discount–that’s like skipping the tax! In addition to that, Yamaha’s already great rebate program will be doubled for this day: $100 for intermediate instruments and $200 for professional instruments. Have questions or want to set up an appointment to try these great flutes? Give Erin a

Dec 4, 2018 No Comments

Maintenance on your new instrument

We are busy bees here at Paige’s Music getting ready for our biggest sale of the year, the Super Sale! If you missed the blog post about it, check it out here. We have so many brand new instruments that will be placed with happy new owners this weekend, some of which are practically still hot off of the factory line. Recently, I’ve had some questions from customers who have recently bought a brand new flute from the IFS, only to return weeks later with some adjustment issues. This certainly has the potential to be frustrating, but with an understanding about how instruments arrive in my shop, I wanted to take a moment to clarify some expectations about purchasing a flute and what to expect after you walk out the door. When you leave the store after purchasing an instrument from me, you may think that is the end of our business relationship. In fact, it’s only the beginning! I love to hear from previous customers to know how their student is doing, how the instrument is performing, and improvements they are making. More importantly, though, it truly is necessary to bring your instrument in for regular maintenance. I always

Nov 13, 2018 No Comments

Super Sale 2018

The Super Sale at Paige’s Music and the Indy Flute Shop is one of our biggest sales of the year. If you are thinking of stepping up to an intermediate or advanced level instrument, this is definitely the best time to do it. We would love to help you find the best instrument for your advancing student or answer any questions about this special promotion. Here’s how it works – Come to the store and draw a coupon that will allow you to super size your savings. The coupons range from 5%-50% OFF* our already low prices! OR – If you would rather not use the coupon that you selected, you can use our 12 months deferred interest* option. There’s no interest as long as your balance is paid in full within 12 months. There are minimum payments due each month and I can help estimate what those might be in store. In addition to these great savings, this is a great time to take advantage of manufacturer rebates for the rental or purchase of new instruments! Just as in previous years, Yamaha is offering a great rebate program for both their intermediate and professional level flutes. The intermediate series

Oct 30, 2018 1 Comment

The Great E Dilemma

Many potential customers find themselves with a dizzying bevy of information when it comes to picking features for their next flute. The possibilities are darn near endless–how can one possibly know which options are best for them? In the blog this week, I break down two common but sometimes hard to decipher features: the split E mechanism versus the high E facilitator. It seems a bit redundant, right? Two different features that purport to do the same thing: ease high note playing and response, particularly the high E natural. Here is some information from Miyazawa’s website to help untangle the differences between the two: The split E mechanism can dramatically improve the response of high E. This mechanism divides the action of the upper and lower G keys, permitting the lower G key to close when high E is played. Closing the lower G key and fingering high E decreases venting and brings more stability to the note with a faster response. This mechanism employs a separate rod, adding a slight bit of weight to the flute. The split E mechanism must be made on the flute during manufacture. The high E facilitator is a donut-shaped ring that is inserted

Sep 11, 2018 No Comments

C# trill key

Happy September! This week’s blog is one from the archives, but I thought it would be appropriate to post it again since I have so many more followers now than when this video was posted back in 2013–which is awesome! The C# trill key is also fresh in my mind because I just helped a family purchase a wonderful step-up instrument with this feature this past week. Enjoy! C-Sharp Trill Key

Sep 4, 2018 No Comments

Powell Aurumite Signature Headjoint

Some more exciting news for the shop: we just received an exciting addition to our Powell line, the Aurumite-clad signature headjoint! This headjoint is available as an upgrade to either the Powell Sonare intermediate line or on a Signature handmade flute, both of which are in stock here! This material was introducted at the NFA convention a few years ago, and I have found it to be an affordable yet quite effective upgrade to either of these instruments. Powell’s concept for making this fusion metal was to put a flute tube of one precious metal inside another. The inner “tube” would be made of a relatively dense and expensive precious metal compared to the other tube. The patented process accomplishes this by metallurgically bonding sterling silver and 14k gold to each other while each is still in sheet (or flat) form. The resulting laminated sheet is then cupped and drawn into flute tubing just like most other flute tubes are made. The version of this fusion technology which has become most popular over the past four years is Aurumite. According to Powell specialist Hannah Liuzzo, the 9K rose gold on the exterior of the KT headjoint offers qualities that are

Aug 21, 2018 No Comments

NFA recap

As always, my head is still spinning from the whirlwind of a long weekend that I spent at the National Flute Association convention in Orlando! I was able to meet with many of my brand representatives–which is especially nice when you do most of your communicating by email!–try some exciting new instruments, and witness some absolutely wonderful performances. I love how refreshed and recharged I am about what I do when I return from convention, and this year was certainly no exception. This week, I wanted to highlight a new instrument that I tried, the Trevor James copper alloy alto flute! The award winning Trevor James alto flutes are extremely popular with flute players or doubling musicians for their free-blowing headjoints and rich tone colors and flexibility. Trevor James is known for having an interesting and unique mix of both a rich, dark sound while still being extremely free-blowing and responsive. In my time here at the flute shop, I have tended to find that these are usually mutually exclusive: an instrument will either be bright and free-blowing or dark and resistant, and nary the two shall meet! My experience with Trevor James, however, definitely blows that theory out of

Aug 14, 2018 No Comments

FAQ: Renting a beginning instrument online

If you have come to this site looking for information about renting a beginning flute, first of all–welcome! You and your student are about to embark on a wonderful, fulfilling journey of flute playing. At the Indy Flute Shop, in partnership with Paige’s Music, we have partnered with many schools throughout the state to become the supplier of school band and orchestra instruments. The Indy Flute Shop carries instruments at the intermediate to advanced level, which most families choose to pursue after their student has been playing for a year or two. 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. All of our band and orchestra rentals include free repair and replacement, free deliveries and pick-up, exchange, return, and early purchase discount options. We have several convenient options for renting an instrument on our Debut Rental plan. The most convenient option for renting an instrument is our online Option. You will select your school and your instrument and our system will autofill everything selected by your director for that instrument. From there, we can

Jul 31, 2018 No Comments

Instrument overhauls

Nothing incites more sticker shock in this industry than finding out that someone’s instrument, after careful storage for many years, is in dire need of a re-pad and overhaul. In a perfect world, a flute could sit on a shelf for untold numbers of years and be ready to play just as good as new–but unfortunately, the opposite is often the case. Pads, which serve the purpose of sealing the keys to the tone hole when depressed, are made of a combination of cardboard, felt, and thin intestine-like material, all of which are inherently disposable eventually. After years of neglect, temperature and moisture changes, and (ick!) the possibility of bug infestation, a re-pad, or overhaul, is almost always necessary. So why does this cost so much? Well, here’s the long answer: First, the mechanism and keys are removed, pinned sections are broken down and lubricated, and pins are replaced as necessary. Have you seen a flute completely taken apart, IKEA style? There are a TON of tiny little parts! The mechanism is then cleaned out and polished. Keys are adjusted as necessary to remove excess side play within a section. Pivot screws and pivot joints are cleaned and refitted to

Jul 24, 2018 No Comments

Bass flutes

I have been doing some comparison shopping for a customer, and I field quite a bit of questions about them, so our topic for the week: bass flutes! In the past 5 years, I have seen an explosion of music–both band/orchestral and flute choir–written with bass flute parts. These wonderful instruments can be a bit hard to find, so I have included a list of the most popular ones. Altus Since its creation, the Altus Bass Flute has established a solid reputation for reliable performance among artists and students alike. The consistent performance qualities of a balanced tone throughout the range has contributed to building confidence with flutists who choose to play and recommend these larger instruments. The hand crafted Altus Bass flute has received particular praise for its truly superb scale, even tone color, and unique timbre. This instrument is silver plated with a sterling silver lip plate and riser. It is the most expensive of the bass flutes that I am able to order, starting at $8,700. Gemeinhardt The Gemeinhardt 21BSP bass flute is an excellent option for flute choirs and soloists alike. The keywork is designed for ergonomically correct hand positions, and the headjoint is great for

Jul 10, 2018 No Comments

Summer care tips

It looks like we’re in for another heat wave here in Central Indiana! Many of you are out of school for the summer, and perhaps taking advantage of some opportunities to perform or practice outside. Many community bands in the area host outdoor concert series, which is great, but it does come with some extra necessities as far as taking care of your instrument. Here are a few tips to ensure that your instrument doesn’t suffer in the heat. 1. Always make sure to store your instrument away from heat and direct sunlight. In the summertime, this means avoiding leaving it in your car for long periods of time. Car interiors can get very hot, and while short times exposed to heat might not make a big difference, over time it can actually start to melt the glue that holds the flute pads in place. They may come unseated or fall out completely. As you probably know, having new pads installed in a flute is quite expensive, so avoiding temperature extremes will definitely save you money in the long run. 2. Keep a polishing cloth handy. When the temperature rises, we sweat, and when we are holding an instrument, that

Jun 26, 2018 No Comments

Caring for your Flute–updated!

Hi there! Our director of marketing, Tim Gee, recently undertook the huge task of updating all of our instrument care videos. The original videos were done just before HD became popular, so it was time for a redo. Below is the general care and maintenance video for flute, with instruction given by yours truly! If you’d like to see the rest of the flute videos, you can view them on our Flute Care & Maintenance page.

Jun 12, 2018 No Comments

upgrading your instrument–online!

I have a very exciting announcement to make: we are now able to upgrade current customers to an intermediate level instrument online! Our technical support staff has been hard at work to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible, so we are excited to finally be able to roll it out. Here’s what you need to do: 1. Call the Indy Flute Shop to talk about upgrade options and pricing, or send us an email. Please note, it’s best to have a conversation with Erin over the phone if you are not able to make it in the store. I’ll do my best to find the best instrument to fit your student’s needs and your budget, based on what you have paid into your current instrument. 2. Once a price point and model has been determined, watch your email for a link to complete an online “application.” You’re already approved at this point; we just need to make sure we have all of the correct information to update your agreement. 3. Complete the application and send it back to us, ensuring you have the correct initial and ongoing payment methods. 4. Your student’s instrument will be delivered via the

May 8, 2018 No Comments

Our newest Straubinger-certified tech

We are very pleased to announce that we now have an additional Straubinger-certified tech here at our full-service repair shop, Ben Bruemmer! He has successfully completed training to become a certified Straubinger Pad Technician. These pads are specifically designed to be used in higher end professional flutes and require specialized training. Straubinger™ Pads are designed specifically for hand-made flutes and consist of different materials and components than a traditional pad. The patented pad support unit and profiled washer are machined to close tolerances, one at a time, on a high precision lathe. The actual installation of the Straubinger Pad requires careful preparation of the flute. The instrument must be in the very finest mechanical condition in order for the pads to be installed properly. The tone holes must be shaped correctly and the cups perfectly aligned over the tone holes. The spuds must be at a precise height, and the screw washers and bushings (grommets) a particular shape. Special tools are required to perform this work. The pad certification training is an intensive three-day course, designed specifically to cover the concepts, methods of application, and procedures required to install Straubinger Pads correctly. This very specific training is designed exclusively for

Apr 17, 2018 No Comments

Quick, someone get that girl a better piccolo!

Well, March Madness is officially over, and Villanova reigns supreme this year. As I scrolled through my Facebook feed this morning, a familiar image began to appear of that poor piccolo player from ‘Nova two years ago after their heartbreaking loss, playing with tears streaming down her face. Remember it? She quickly went viral and even appeared on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Well, this image began to recirculate last night, next to a photo of a happier version of herself after last night’s win. Well, I hate to tell you…but it was photoshopped. Roxanne has since graduated Villanova, and the image was taken from her appearance on TV. But in any case, it got me thinking…why in the world was she playing on a metal piccolo in the first place?? Now, dear readers, before you continue on, please note: this is an opinion piece. There are plenty out there who will disagree with my opinion on this matter, which is that metal piccolos give the instrument a bad name. Respectful disagreement is always healthy in any forum. I do not carry metal piccolos in the flute shop; if a school or individual wants to order them, they are available on

Apr 3, 2018 No Comments

History of the piccolo

Of all of the instruments in the flute family, none seem to be so polarizing as the piccolo. Personally, it is my favorite auxiliary instrument to play! Here is a quick history and some fun facts you may not know about the piccolo: The piccolo, and the concert flute, both evolved from the military transverse flute of the Middle Ages. When in the mid 17th century the art of flute-making underwent a process of rapid innovation, the technical improvements made to the flute were passed on one by one to its smaller sister, the piccolo traverso. In the early 18th century the piccolo began to appear with one to four keys, and more were added as the century progressed. In the years that followed the piccolo’s development mirrored that of the flute. In 1832 the Munich flutist Theobald Boehm invented a revolutionary mechanism for the flute and by the middle of the 19th century it had already found its way onto the piccolo. Nevertheless, piccolos with older key mechanisms remained in use into the 20th century. In the first third of the 18th century parts for ”flauto piccolo” and ”flautino” began to appear in scores, although it cannot be said

Mar 27, 2018 1 Comment

Music Madness sale!

For the past few years we’ve held an event that not only saves you money on great instruments and supplies, but it’s also a lot of fun! We call it our Music Madness Sale and it happens in coordination with the college basketball tournament that begins about this same time. From March 15th through the 17th you’ll be able to come in to the store for some great savings. You’ll receive a scratch-off game “ticket”. Scratch off your ticket to reveal your discount. Then, if you’d like, shoot a basketball to possibly 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 of our already low prices. If you’re in the market for an instrument, now’s the time to come in to scratch, shoot and save! Paige’s Music News about band and orchestra rentals, sales and service in Indiana

Mar 6, 2018 No Comments

ISSMA Sale!

As contest season comes to a close we feel it is the perfect time to reward your student for his or her hard work by upgrading to a higher level instrument. If you’ve been looking for a good reason to exchange your beginner instrument for a more advanced instrument, Saturday, February 24, 2018 may be the perfect time to do just that! On Saturday, February 24th Paige’s Music and the Indy Flute Shop are presenting an exclusive offer to those who have competed in solo and ensemble contest earlier in the day. If your student brings his or her contest medal into our store we will take one month off of a new rent-to-own agreement or 7% off an outright purchase of an intermediate or professional level instrument. We have a variety of step-up instruments available for rental. If you have any questions about upgrade options, please call or email us and we can explain our Premier step-up rental program. Offer valid in store only. Offer only applies to in stock inventory. Call or email Erin with any questions!

Feb 20, 2018 No Comments