The Clarinet BBoard

I wanna learn!

Author: contragirl  Date:   2004-03-26 01:28 Ok, I want to learn how to do minor repairs, like recorking and repadding. It doesn't seem all that hard. I know I could take a clarinet apart, and with some time, put it back together. Obvioulsy, I would need tools, too. Mainly, my problem is doing adjustments. If it had a bad adjustment of the keys to begin with, I will put it back together with bad adjustments, and I wouldn't know how to even fix it. Mostly, I just want to learn to repad first, so when I do it, they won't all be crooked and a waste of time. So far, I repadded a metal clarinet and did a bad job, cuz my tech friend says that it needs to be redone. :( I'm so sad now. Are there any websites that would give that kind of information? Or do techs like to keep such things a secret? --Contragirl

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Re: I wanna learn!

Author: ron b  Date:   2004-03-26 06:34 There are no secrets, Contragirl, just knowledge and practice. (Sound familiar???) Techs are high on my list of some of the most learner-friendly people I've ever known. They're actually pleased (the good ones) if you do your own maintenance... believe it or not. It makes things much easier and pleasanter for them and in the long run less expensive for you if a really serious problem needs their expert attention. They don't have to waste time on all the little neglected things in addition to the serious problem to get the instrument back in working order. As for padding, corking and regulation (adjusting), I strongly recommend that you find a tech you like who'll first show you how it's done, explaining the "how's and why's". When you have the mechanics of it firmly in mind (and this doesn't take long to grasp), you do it while the "teacher" observes and corrects you, if necessary. You really need the hands-on, walk you through it, the first time or two (or three, or four to get the feel of things. You can, with practice, actually feel it when things are right and when they're not. Try to schedule time (offer to pay for the lesson time, of course) when it's not too busy. Summer, for example, when they're swamped with school instrument repair is *not* a good time. No need to be sad your friend told you to do the metal horn over. That's an okay way to learn, I guess. But, I would hope that your friend will also help you further by at least pointing out the things that need correcting. I have to guess here because I can't see what you've done... however, I firmly believe at this point just doing it over without knowning why won't help you. As much as many well meaning folks around here would love to help you, there is no substitute for an experienced tech right next to you (who's also good at teaching) walking you through it step by step. There are websites, CDs, videos, repair manuals and all kinds of stuff like that. They are all, in my opinion, at the very best -- only second best to a real live instructor. Of course you can learn to do repair yourself by trial after trial and, maybe, finally success. Some have learned the craft quite well that way. In my estimation that's the long tedious way of doing anything and most folks would soon give in and give it up to the frustration of it all. Your willingness and interest make you a good candidate, Contragirl, and I offer you my best wishes. I hope you follow through and visit as many shops as you can as you put the word out. Someone will hear you - rn b -

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