Trumpet Specialist

New Trumpets Incoming!

This month marks two years since I have started at Paige’s Music and I am so proud of how we have grown our presence in the trumpet community through our awesome videos, new accessories, and even the new trumpets that we are carrying! With all of that said, this month could be the biggest yet! We are so excited to have more custom and professional trumpets in stock than ever before with more coming over the next few months! Over the last few years, I’m sure you’ve heard about the changes being made up at Bach/Conn Selmer. We are so excited to have some of their B-flat and C trumpets alongside the iconic Conn Vintage One in stock! This month we should also receive some of the custom C Trumpets from Yamaha that are very hard to get! Additionally, Shires has quickly ascended to being one of the most sought-after trumpet brands in the trumpet community. Over the next few months, we’ll be getting more of their custom line trumpets. So, please watch our social media and YouTube channel for announcements on these incredible instruments and their availability. If you are interested in knowing more specifics about what we have

Jun 17, 2024 No Comments

Top 5 Reasons To Play The Trumpet

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Students all throughout the country are trying out instruments and deciding which one is right for them. Within this blog, I will give you the top 5 reasons to choose the trumpet! For the record, there is some satire involved in this blog. As a true trumpet player, I must say that there are many more reasons to choose the trumpet, but we’d run out of space within this blog.

Apr 2, 2024 No Comments

Finding The Perfect Trumpet Mouthpiece Part 1: Where Do You Start?

Choosing the right mouthpiece is often overlooked for middle school and high school trumpet students. We often focus a lot more on choosing the right trumpet but, choosing the right mouthpiece may have as much or more of an impact on your playing than choosing the right trumpet. Here are some things that you should consider when you start to look for a mouthpiece: Try Before You Buy: In my opinion, it is extremely important to try out the mouthpiece before you purchase it. Here at Paige’s Music, we have a great stock of different trumpet mouthpieces from different manufacturers. Although doing research online or talking with your teacher is an important step, trying the mouthpiece out for yourself is vital. Please make sure you try out the mouthpiece either by borrowing one from someone or stopping by Paige’s Music. You won’t regret it, I promise. Lip Size/Shape Matters: I often use the analogy that a mouthpiece is like a shoe. Your lip size and shape are important in determining what mouthpiece you should use. Personally, I have large lips, so I play on a large mouthpiece. For a long time, I played on a smaller mouthpiece because it was

Feb 7, 2024 No Comments

Paige’s Music Trumpet Day at Butler Univiersity

On April 22, 2023, we will be hosting our FIRST annual Paige’s Music Trumpet Day at Butler University. This year, we are partnering with Yamaha to host Joe Burgstaller as our guest artist! Joe was my teacher at Peabody Conservatory and is now the Professor of Trumpet at Arizona State University! He was a member/arranger with the Canadian Brass for many years and is extremely active as an international soloist/clinician. Joe will be presenting a masterclass and a world-class recital at our event!

Mar 19, 2023 No Comments

Jason Bergman Clinic at Paige’s Music

We are SO excited to host newly appointed Associate Professor of Trumpet at Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University) and President of the International Trumpet Guild, Dr. Jason Bergman for an in-store all instrument clinic DREAM BIG: Tips for Successfully Navigating the Music World. If you love music but aren’t sure what route to go to achieve your dreams, then this is the clinic for you.

Aug 12, 2022 No Comments

Shires Trumpet Day at Paige’s Music

On Saturday, November 7, 2020 Paige’s Music will host Larry Powell, Professor of Trumpet at University of Indianapolis, in partnership with S.E. Shires. Visitors will be given the opportunity to play test S.E. Shires custom trumpets, Q-Series trumpets, and auxiliary instruments. In addition to our enhanced inventory, visitors will get the chance to discuss University of Indianapolis’ trumpet studio and get individualized feedback on equipment and musicianship from Larry Powell. Appointments are required for this event. To sign up for an appointment please visit: http://bit.ly/trumpetday-larrypowell Below is a list of the S.E. Shires Models that will be available for in-store testing and purchase on November 7, 2020. Model A Model B CVLA-XL Q10S 4F C Trumpet 4S8 C Trumpet 5S C Trumpet Q11RS C Trumpet 9Y Piccolo Trumpet 68MS Eb/D Trumpet 512G Flugelhorn

Oct 15, 2020 No Comments

Why Lyrical Playing is Important

As trumpet players we are often seen as the heroes of the band or orchestra (even if it’s only us who see it that way), but there is more to playing the trumpet than playing loud or playing high, scream parts. As musicians we should always strive to be making music, and more importantly making musical choices with the parts we play. This is where practicing lyrical studies comes in handy!

Oct 8, 2020 No Comments

Meet The Teacher: Perry Reid, Trumpet

At Paige’s Music we get asked all the me if we teach lessons or know people who do. We know plenty of private instructors and even have a list on our website, but we wanted to go a little further and interview them so you have a beer picture of which teacher might be best for you! Our guest today is trumpet educator and performer, Perry Reid.

Aug 28, 2020 No Comments

Meet The Teacher: Larry Powell, Trumpet

Aug 13, 2020 No Comments

Meet The Teacher – Jay Ellsmore

At Paige’s Music we get asked all the time if we teach lessons or know people who do. We know plenty of private instructors and even have a list on our website, but we wanted to go a little further and interview them so you have a better picture of which teacher might be best for you! This week’s featured teacher is Mr. Jay Ellsmore. Where did you go to school? I received my undergrad in performance from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. There I studied with Robert Levy for one year and John Daniel for three years. I also studied conducting under Andrew Mast. I then got my masters in performance from the University of Northern Colorado, studying with Robert Murray.

Jul 16, 2020 No Comments

Summer Trumpet Technique Bootcamp

Last time we discussed potential items to practice over the summer and I mentioned we would focus more on improving our technique. While a very broad and often times all-encompassing term, I would like to focus on a few areas of technique and try to assist brass players, mainly the trumpet players in the audience, in forming a schedule to maximize their time.

Jun 18, 2020 No Comments

What To Practice Over The Summer

At a time when marching band or other summer music camps are typically ramping up into full gear, I know there are many students who are sitting at home wondering what should they be doing? Well, if the latest video game or hit show has either lost its appeal or you’ve completed them it could be time to dust off your good ol’ instrument and make a plan for the summer to stay in shape in the event any of these typical summer activities should return.

Jun 5, 2020 No Comments

Trick Out My Trumpet

When we buy an instrument, just like the old classic muscle cars, there are plenty of things we can do to it after purchase to tweak how it performs. Let’s talk about aftermarket add-ons!

May 22, 2020 No Comments

Two Of A Perfect Pair

I feel like I talk about mouthpieces WAY too much. And you know what they say; “The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one!” At one point I definitely had 70 mouthpieces of all different sizes with different purposes and I would just try to make things work even if they didn’t want to, which I now realize is the wrong way to go about selecting equipment. This brings me to a very important topic and an anecdote to help try to prove my case. I bought a very specific, specialized trumpet from a friend that was designed to be an orchestral Bb and pair well with the matching C trumpet model in this brand’s line. Now, I truly believe there isn’t much this horn can’t do, but I definitely feel that it favors larger mouthpieces in general to achieve the purpose for which it was built. There are many factors to consider such as bore size, bell, leadpipe, and instrument weight, as well as many others. I’ll take a few horns and give some examples of mouthpieces that might work well with it and why.

May 7, 2020 No Comments

When to Buy Which Trumpet? Classical Edition

Last time we discussed instruments that would be good for those of us who primarily want to play jazz or commercial types of music and left it by discussing studio musicians who may need to do it all. This leads us nicely into the classical side of trumpet playing and the instruments needed for that work. In order of importance here are my suggestions. (Your timeline may vary. Please consult your teacher/professor on when it is appropriate to purchase these instruments)

Apr 17, 2020 No Comments

When to Buy Which Trumpet? Jazz/Commercial Edition

I’ve got some news for everyone: I am a trumpet junkie. I have always been fascinated by different brands and models and have even experienced many cases of FOMO (fear of missing out) when it comes to my equipment. I’ve taught several students and have had to have this conversation many times and have even asked for personal recommendations. Today is just a quick look at what instruments you should purchase and when, depending upon your musical path. While it is super difficult to give a recommendation without hearing people play or know what their interests are, I will give some fairly general model recommendations from the “Big Three” brands of trumpets along with a few special suggestions when needed. Today we will discuss instruments needed for those who want to primarily be Jazz/Commercial players and they will be in order of importance. (Your timeline may vary. Please consult your teacher/professor on when it is appropriate to purchase these instruments)

Apr 3, 2020 No Comments

How To Keep Your Trumpet Clean

To further clean your instrument remove all valves, slides and caps from the trumpet. You may submerge the trumpet in warm water (should be noticeably warm but not scalding hot) with mild dish soap such as dawn. Let the instrument sit for five minutes and then use your valve casing brush and snake brush to remove excess dirt and debris from the trumpet. Absolutely DO NOT force the brushes into smaller spaces such as the valve ports or the ends of smaller tuning slides. The crook ends of the 1st and third valve tuning slides can be cleaned by running water through them. Once all easily accessible areas of the trumpet have been scrubbed thoroughly rinse the trumpet in warm clean water and let air dry. Once the trumpet is dry you may then apply your necessary lubricants to moving parts and reassemble. Stay safe!

Mar 20, 2020 No Comments

The Case Against Beginner Buzzing

To start with, this is not an anti-buzzing campaign. Over my years of working with students whether it be privately, in group settings, or even observing other teachers working with them I have come to a conclusion: I think having your beginning trumpet players mouthpiece buzz is harmful to their development. Here’s why.

Mar 5, 2020 No Comments

What’s Your Favorite Orchestral or Concert Band “Cover”?

One thing I love about music that is performed by orchestral or concert band musicians is that we get many different interpretations and sounds from them. There are so many different recordings that are great and while people usually have a favorite recording, it’s not quite the same as popular music where Stairway to Heaven is usually best done by Led Zeppelin or wanting to hear Lizzo perform her own material. This week I wanted to share some “classical” music, and the recordings that I personally enjoy and even strive to emulate.

Jan 23, 2020 No Comments

Mute Madness!

Happy Thursday, everyone. Today’s topic is one of my favorite to talk about: Mutes. As stated by Philip Smith, former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic 1978-2014, “A trumpet player can never have enough mutes of varying types, shapes, sizes, and materials”. With that being said, as trumpet players (and other brass players who may be reading) we are often asked to use a device called a mute while playing certain music. This does not always mean making our sound softer per se, but changing our timbre. Today we’ll talk about the most common mute we are asked to use: the straight mute.

Jan 9, 2020 No Comments