Bass Clefs, Treble Clefs, and Tenor Clefs. Oh my!

The euphonium is a unique and often misunderstood instrument, even among experienced musicians. Over the years, I’ve encountered many questions about it: Is it called a euphonium or a baritone? Why don’t we see euphoniums in orchestras? Should the bell face forward or up? Does it have three or four valves? And what exactly is a compensating euphonium?

One of the most intriguing questions, and the one we’ll explore today, is: Why is euphonium music written in both treble and bass clef?

Why Euphonium Music Uses Both Treble and Bass Clef

The use of different clefs for the euphonium is deeply rooted in tradition. In the U.S., euphonium players in school bands typically read bass clef music, aligning with the trombone, which shares the same range. This tradition continues in modern marching bands where trombones are often replaced by baritones or euphoniums, allowing players to transition smoothly without needing to learn a new clef.

In the orchestral world, the euphonium is a rarity, often referred to as the “tenor tuba.” When it appears, trombone or tuba players may switch to euphonium for specific parts, again benefiting from reading in the same clef without the need for transposition.

However, across the Atlantic in British brass bands, it’s a different story. Almost all brass instruments, from soprano cornet to BB-flat bass (tuba), read in treble clef, with the bass trombone being the sole exception. This uniformity simplifies switching between instruments and allows euphonium players to read music just as trumpet or cornet players do. The treble clef euphonium is transposed to B-flat, similar to the trumpet (technically an octave up, but let’s not split hairs).

The Benefits of Treble Clef in American Bands

In American concert bands, the treble clef euphonium offers a significant advantage. Students who start on the trumpet but struggle with its smaller mouthpiece can easily switch to the euphonium without learning a new set of notes. While there’s no hard data, this ease of transition has likely kept many students from quitting band altogether. This accessibility is one reason why both clefs remain prevalent in concert band euphonium parts.

Should You Learn Both Clefs?

So, is one clef superior to the other? The reality is that a proficient euphonium player should be able to read both treble and bass clef. This skill makes you versatile and ready for any challenge in rehearsals or performances. Additionally, knowing both clefs allows you to expand your repertoire by borrowing solos from other instruments. As a euphonium player, I’ve performed solos written for trumpet, trombone, bassoon, cello, and clarinet—all thanks to my ability to read both clefs.

Embracing both treble and bass clefs will make you the most adaptable musician in the band room. So dive into learning both, and you’ll find that it opens up a world of musical opportunities!

The beginning of the school year is here! As the excitement of the new term settles, you may hear from your student’s band director or teacher that it’s time to upgrade their flute—especially if they’ve been playing for at least a year. Choosing the right step-up flute can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it easier for you!

How to Start the Flute Upgrade Process

1. Consult the Band Director or Private Teacher: Start by talking to your student’s band director or private teacher. They know the student’s playing style and can offer valuable advice on brands and specs that best suit your student’s needs.
2. Schedule an Appointment with Paige’s Music: Call us at 317-842-2102 or visit our website to schedule an appointment for a trial session. You’ll likely work directly with me, and I’d love to help you find the perfect flute!
3. Request a One-Week Trial: If an in-person visit isn’t convenient, we can send a flute to the student’s school for a one-week trial. Call us to set up this convenient trial experience!

Key Specs to Look for When Upgrading Your Flute

When upgrading to a step-up flute, look for these key features:

• Open-holed keys: Provides a more resonant and flexible sound.
• B Footjoint: Extends the flute’s range and enhances the lower register.
• Sterling Silver Headjoint: Paired with either a silver-plated or sterling silver body for superior tone quality.
• Optional Features: Consider additions like the Split E Mechanism, C# trill, or D# roller to enhance playability.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Flute

Upgrading your student’s flute offers several significant benefits:

1. Enhanced Tone Quality: Step-up flutes feature at least a solid silver headjoint, providing a richer tone that supports the student’s developing sound.
2. More Open Sound: Open-holed keys encourage a more resonant and expressive sound, allowing for greater musicality.
3. Improved Lower Register: The B footjoint not only enables playing lower notes but also contributes to a fuller sound in the lower register compared to beginner flutes.

Investing in a better-quality flute can significantly impact your student’s musical journey, helping them grow and excel as a musician. If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, feel free to reach out. My direct line at Paige’s Music is 317-813-2467, and you can also email me at kmcdonald@paigesmusic.com.

We are thrilled to announce that world-renowned jazz artist John Raymond will be hosting a jazz trumpet masterclass at Paige’s Music on November 23rd at 5PM!

As an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, John brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. He has released nine albums under his own name, and has been featured on over thirty recordings, including four GRAMMY-nominated albums! Along with his musical accomplishments, John is the author of “The Jazz Trumpet Routine: Fundamentals for the Creative Improviser” and hosts the popular podcast “The Trumpet Summit”. As a Bach performing artist, John Raymond’s insights will be invaluable to musicians of all skill levels.

This masterclass is open to trumpet students of all ages and abilities who are eager to dive deeper into the world of improvisation. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just beginning, this clinic is for you!

We’re excited to partner with Bach and Conn-Selmer to present this incredible opportunity. More details, including how to RSVP, will be shared on our social media outlets and website soon. Plus, there will be a special giveaway for attendees—so make sure to stay tuned!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to see you on November 23rd for this unforgettable event!

The summer months are very important in your development as a trumpet player. Many students will leave their trumpet in the case in a closet for 2-3 months which is a terrible idea! Can you imagine not walking or running for 2-3 months and then trying to run a 5K or 10K? If you don’t play your trumpet all summer, that is essentially what you are doing to yourself! We use facial muscles to play the trumpet and as with any other muscle in the body, if you don’t use it then you lose it. So, it is vital that you practice your trumpet to at least maintain the growth and endurance that you had during the school year. Check out these tips for practicing over the summer:

1. Listening

When I was in middle and high school, I did not realize the importance of listening to professional trumpet players. When you first learned to talk, you did so from listening to your parents and others. There are many speaking accents throughout the world and those are passed on from generation to generation through children listening to those around them and recreating what they’ve heard in their head through their voice. The same is true with the trumpet. My tone and sound are similar to my private teachers’ sounds as well as the trumpet players that I’ve listened to the most. Take time this summer to listen to artists like Allen Vizzutti, Michael Sachs, Hakan Hardenberger, Wayne Bergeron, and others to find your sound. See which artist you like best and dive deep into their recordings!

2. Find a private teacher

If you are looking to really improve during the summer, then I highly recommend finding a private teacher. There are so many great trumpet teachers within the Indianapolis region as well as throughout the state of Indiana! We have a list of private teachers on our website, but you can also reach out to your band director to see if they have someone that they recommend. One of the major advantages of taking private lessons is the one-on-one training that you receive. In band class, there are so many other students in the band as well as the trumpet section that your teacher is trying to work with. In most cases, they don’t have time to help you on an individual basis with your sound, range, articulation, or other fundamentals that are key for your success as a trumpet player. If you have trouble finding a private teacher, feel free to reach out to me directly and I am more than happy to help.

3. Listen to online masterclasses or podcasts

In our current world, we have some incredible resources online that you can use to help grow as a trumpet player! There are many colleges and competitions that post masterclasses that different artists have held. There are also a few trumpet-related podcasts available to listen to that go into details on playing the trumpet. I highly recommend searching for your favorite artist with the word “masterclass” after their name on YouTube and see what comes up. You may be surprised with what you find! If you need any recommendations, feel free to e-mail me and I am happy to provide some recommendations!

4. Play your trumpet!

The most important summer practice tip is to play your trumpet! Like I said in the introduction, it is vital for you to play your trumpet over the summer. If you don’t play your trumpet, you risk injuring yourself when school starts back up especially if you are going to be in marching band. Set small goals for yourself to start and grow your practice time from there. Maybe just warm up every day for one week and then the following week play some of your favorite pieces from the previous year or look up your favorite song online to find sheet music for it. I personally recommend practicing in 15-20-minute chunks for 30-60 minutes per day. If you do that and use your time wisely, I guarantee you will feel ready for band class in the fall.

Make the most of your summer by actively engaging in these practice tips, ensuring you start the next school year at your best.

With the school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure you are ready with the supplies needed! We’ve got a great stock of everything that you’ll need to have up for the start of the school year. Here’s my recommendations for your back-to-school list:

1. Clean your Trumpet

The summer is the perfect time to make sure your trumpet is ready to go for the school year. We highly recommend having your trumpet cleaned and serviced once a year. While the exterior of your trumpet may look fine, there are likely spots with build-up inside from playing during the school year that you will want to have cleaned out to prevent future issues. We can provide a loaner for the week it will take to clean and repair the trumpet to make sure you are able to practice!

2. Valve Oil

It is very important to make sure that you have at least one full bottle of valve oil for the start of the school year. You should be putting oil on your trumpet valves at least once a week to make sure that they stay in tip-top shape! We have a wonderful selection of different valve oil brands for you to select from in our store.

3. Slide Grease

Many trumpet players forget about the importance of slide grease. You want to make sure that all of your slides are moving properly. If your slides are starting to slow down or even stick, start by wiping down the slides and then put a fresh thin coat of slide grease on them to make sure they’re moving well again! Pro Tip: If you want your slides to move faster, add a little bit of valve oil on top of the thin layer of slide grease. If you still have issues with the slides sticking after using grease, then you probably will need to check in your instrument for repair to have it cleaned and make sure that there are no dents or issues causing it to stick.

4. Mutes

We have a wonderful selection of mutes in our store from straight to practice or cup to harmon mutes, we have you covered! Each mute has a special function. If you live in an apartment or small house, you may consider getting one of our practice mutes to lower the noise level when practicing. Harmon mutes are usually used in jazz band and cup mutes are also a staple in jazz band but some concert band music will ask for them to be used as well. Stop in today to see our great selection!

5. Trumpet Stand

Trumpet stands are a great way to safely place your trumpet down when taking a break from practicing or in band class. You do not want to set your trumpet on your chair because it will likely fall onto the ground and that will create dents on the instrument. Students that place their trumpets on the ground also risk them being stepped on. So, the best fix for these situations is a trumpet stand. Most trumpet stands can also fit inside the bell of your trumpet when storing it away in the case! We have a great selection of trumpet stand options in our store.

6. New Case

During the back-to-school season, most students are looking for a new backpack to take to class. This year, I recommend checking out a new case! We have a great selection of new cases if you want to stand out when heading back to school. Stop by today or call for more information!

Be fully prepared for back-to-school with Paige’s Music. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, our selection is designed to ensure you have the best possible start to the new school year.

These are exciting times at Paige’s Music! Our trumpet inventory is growing! We have more trumpet models in stock than ever before, and I am so excited to share the models that we have in inventory that we’ve received over the last year. These trumpets are amazing and while we plan to keep them in stock regularly, some of these models have a longer wait time from the manufacturer because of their popularity in the trumpet industry. So, if you see a trumpet that you are interested in, reach out to me first to make sure that it is still available, then, stop by the store to try them out! Check out this list ordered by the manufacturer of our new inventory!

Bach

170S43GYR

This Bach 170 model features a new 6R lead pipe that has a very quick response. This trumpet is a lot of fun to play. The main difference between the 170 line and the 180 is the bell. The bell of the trumpet is one of the hardest and most time-consuming pieces to make on the trumpet. So, this model features a 2-piece bell. The stem of the bell is gold brass while the flare is yellow brass. This combination creates a great sound. If you love the Bach sound but are looking for something a little more affordable, this is the model for you!

180S37R

There are a few models that most students and parents come in asking for when looking to get a professional trumpet. One of those models is the Bach Stradivarius model 37. The 180S37R features that iconic model 37 sound with a reverse lead pipe. This model was a lot of fun to play. I highly recommend checking it out!

19037

The Mount Vernon Bach trumpets are some of the most sought-after in the industry. This 190 series model 37 has a very similar construction to those trumpets featuring a Mount Vernon style bell construction. This trumpet is so easy to play and has that iconic Bach sound. If you are looking to get a trumpet that will immediately take you to the next level in your playing, this is the trumpet to try out today.

C180SL229CC

There have been many updates to the Bach trumpet line that have many in the trumpet industry talking and even coming in to try out these trumpets. We are so excited to have in their “Chicago” model C Trumpet. This trumpet is easy to play and has great resonance. I really enjoyed trying this trumpet out and it is definitely one to check out if you are looking for a new C Trumpet!

Conn

1FG

The Conn Vintage one flugelhorn is one of the best flugelhorns on the market. I had the pleasure of taking lessons from Fred Powell in high school who helped design this incredible instrument. So, it is very exciting for me personally to now have this awesome flugelhorn in stock. If you have never tried the Conn Vintage One, you are missing out. This flugelhorn is so easy to play, has a great tone, and plays in tune throughout the register. This is a can’t miss flugel to try!

Blessing

BFH1541RT

When we got this model into our store for the first time, I put it on display. On that very day, it sold. This flugelhorn is gorgeous with the matte finish, and it is so much fun to play. The flugelhorn is one of my favorite instruments within the trumpet family to play and this Blessing flugelhorn has a wonderful sound. The rose brass bell and lead pipe create a wonderful combination. This flugelhorn is one you need to try if you are looking to get a flugelhorn!

P. Mauriat

PMT71M

P. Mauriat is a newer brand to Paige’s Music trumpet inventory. We had the PMT-72M in stock as well, but that model sold very quickly. The PMT-71 features a gold brass sound with a beautiful matte finish. This model is a lot of fun to play and while it looks like a jazz trumpet, it has a wonderful sound, response, and intonation that classical players also look for. The case is one of the best cases that I’ve seen a trumpet come with.

S. E. Shires

TRA-S

We are so excited to showcase some of S. E. Shires’ best trumpets here at Paige’s Music! The Model A is a pleasure to play with its wonderful sound, flexibility, and ease of response. If you haven’t tried out a Shires trumpet, this should be the model that you start with. The model A bell has a centered bell taper that produces a more focused sound but also projects very well. I highly recommend trying out this model.

TRAZ-S

This variation of the Model A trumpet has a slight change to the bell compared to the Model A that makes a big difference in playability and sound. The Model AZ has a great sound and projection that makes it easy to play in any ensemble and on any genre. This model was one that stood out to me personally at ITG and I am so excited to have it in stock for our customers to try!

TRCVLA-ML

The CVLA model is a vintage Los Angeles style trumpet. This model is promoted as being a commercial trumpet and while it is a commercial horn, it still plays great as a classical or chamber instrument. I’ve really enjoyed spending time playing this trumpet and it is definitely one to try out.

Yamaha

YTR8445IIS

Here at Paige’s, we have always had a great stock of Yamaha B-flat trumpets and I am so excited to share about the C trumpets that we are now carrying! Yamaha is known for a high level of craftsmanship and trumpets that are easy to play. This C trumpet fits in line with those expectations. The standard Xeno C trumpet is very easy to play and features a wonderful sound with projection, clear articulations, and great intonation. If you are looking for a C trumpet but don’t have the money to purchase a custom artist model, this is a great trumpet to look at!

YTR9445CHSIII

The Yamaha Xeno Artist model trumpets are some of the most sought-after trumpets on the market. We are so excited to have a few of these in stock! The Yamaha Chicago model features a reverse tuning slide which has incredible response. This C trumpet is one of my personal favorite C trumpets on the market. It is so easy to play, has a huge sound, and has great intonation. There is a reason why this model is used in orchestras throughout the world.

YTR9445NYSYSIII

The New York model C trumpets are some of the most popular C trumpets on the planet. The YS bell has a different flare than the YM bell which creates a slightly different feel and sound. This trumpet is so much fun to play. It has that classic Yamaha sound with incredible intonation. This is a trumpet that would have made my life so much easier through college and graduate school!

YTR-9825

As our trumpet inventory is expanding, we could not leave out the piccolo trumpet! We are so excited to have a Yamaha custom piccolo trumpet in stock! This trumpet has a wonderful sound as well as great intonation. It’s a lot of fun to play! The fourth valve takes a little bit of time getting used to, but this short bell piccolo trumpet is one of the best piccolo trumpets I’ve played. It comes with two sets of lead pipes, one for cornet mouthpieces and another for trumpet mouthpieces.

We want to hear from you!

If there are any other models that you would like to see Paige’s Music carry within the intermediate or professional trumpet category, let us know in the comments!