Klarinet Archive - Posting 000013.txt from 2007/05

From: Reedsoaker@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Non player needs advice on repair
Date: Thu, 03 May 2007 02:21:34 -0400

I took my first clarinet apart when I was about ten. I've since gone on to
be a professional woodwind doubler, specializing in the oboe. I can't begin to
tell you how much I learned from taking that clarinet apart. I am not a
repair tech, but I CAN quickly diagnose most problems and fix simple ones. The
first entire lesson with a new oboe student is usually spent getting their
instrument and reed to play, with clarinet students, I usually spend about ten
seconds getting the bridge key right and then we have a nice lesson talking
about air and embouchure.
Ah, then there was the lesson I learned when my piccolo wouldn't play( I
think I was 18). I drove a good 30 miles to find out a rib screw needed
tightening
People, look at your instruments. They are mechanical objects to serve
you. Learn what they do and how they do it. It's not that tough, really. Some
screws hold things in place and some screws regulate interaction between
keys. On the clarinet, cork bumpers are an important thing. None of this is
rocket science, but a truly gifted repair tech can be as smart as a rocket
scientist.

my two cents,

Phil Feather

I don't agree. There is nothing wrong with a kid trying
to fix something. Sure, they will make mistakes, but who
knows.....that kid might just be a great repair tech down
the road. I'd rather the kid turn a few screws and cost
me a few extra bucks than get involved in things that take
him down the wrong path. Playing with a screwdriver is
exactly how I learned to fix my own instruments. And
most of the screws were on the clarinet that I was playing
at the time. In the long run, it has saved me more than
it ever cost me.

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