 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2005-09-25 15:00
I was wondering how people learn to repair instruments. I have experimented at home and worked with instruments that aren't working in my band, but I don't know many things, especially more significant repairs. How does one learn all this? Is there a degree of sorts somewhere? Any advice is appreciated, I'm really interested in doing this.
So many instruments to play........so little time to play them!
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-09-25 16:30
Cindy
People can learn to repair instruments in a number of ways. They can attend schools like Red Wing Minnesota Technial school and get an diploma in band instrument repair. They can also study with a qualified technician to gather valuable field experience. One can even learn a little from books on band instrument repair (my band director has one, can't remember the title though). Hope this helped!!
Clayton
Edit: Red Wing only offers a diploma. Sorry
Post Edited (2005-09-25 20:10)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-25 17:23
The Clarinetist's Notebook Vol. 1 has a lot of valuable information on how to repair clarinets. Everything from repadding a clarinet to undercutting toneholes and adjusting the tuning of a clarinet.
Van Cott (http://www.vcisinc.com/) is a sponsor of this board and probably has it. I got my copy from him. Fast shipping, good communication, and a good place to buy it. Not to mention he has LOADS of other interesting items in there too.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-09-25 17:59
heres a start:
Instrument Repair for the Music Teacher (Paperback)
by Burton Stanley "
go to amazon.com and search for that title
or search on 'band instrument repair'
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-09-25 18:08
Claribone and Alexi say it very well. Many years ago, I started "working on" my old PM FB !!, due to lack of repairers where I was workimg-located, war-time, in the stix of OK and TX. Since then I've read a lot of cl etc books, each having some repair suggestions-lessons, and when needing skilled repairs, for mine and others, have asked if I could watch [without speaking] and most agree. So, learn by doing what you can [without damage], reading, watching and taking courses if available. Sun. PM thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-25 18:11
Incidentally,
Here's where it's mentioned to buy an old, junky clarinet for repair "practice". Get yourself a used low level clarinet (Bundy, Conn, etc. etc.) and use that to practice repadding, adjustments of keys/rings, have fun trying to bring it into tune, and in general, see what you can do with it.
Before working on your prized possession.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-25 18:29
I started out that way - I bought an old B&H at a junk sale in Texas, then bought a set of pads in a general music shop in Tyler along with some liquid shellac and sheet cork and got the thing working, then came home and started working at my local music shop training as a woodwind repairer.
If you have the aptitude, you can achieve anything.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-25 18:48
> Before working on your prized possession.
Having had no other possession than the non-pricey, probably non praised, damaged while travelling ebay horn, I didn't have a lot of choices. But now I can speak with [a bit of] experience. ;-)
There are tons of "vintage" instruments out there, for as little as 30 dollars. Not too expensive if you have the temper and the diligence to do a decent job. I'd guess that several of these clunkers can be restored to at least student-grade instruments (no, I do not advocate selling substandard equipment to beginners, so don't flame me about this comparison). If they don't, you have at least learned something.
Having a buddy with a well-equipped workshop makes such a task considerably easier.
It's not entirely different from overhauling a motorbike or a chippendale sideboard. I've done either...
My motto is: a thing that isn't worth to be done right isn't worth to be done at all.
--
Ben
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2005-09-25 21:39
If you really want to know how to work on instruments, find the best repair technician you can find, and offer to work for them for free or next to nothing, in order to learn what they know.
Books can be good references, but you have to see and feel and touch.
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-09-25 21:49
Just to throw in my 2 cents,
There was an old wooden Selmer USA (Signet 100 model I believe) clarinet sitting in the band room at my school, unplayed for many, many years. Being the curious sort of person, I pulled it out of it's case and tried to play it. No luck, couldn't make a sound. I looked at it a little closer, and it had good pads, but it was missing one of the side trill pads. So I went into my band directors office, and had her tell me where the pads and glue were. I replaced the pad, then oiled the bore and adjusted some of the skrews. It plays beautifully now, and is dead on as far as tuning goes. I use it as my extra clarinet now (not that I need to very often), it has a very nice sound, and I like it almost as much as my Selmer 9*. I know they are really not comparable instruments, my 9* is a really great clarinet, but that was my first "fix-it" job on a clarinet, and it is something I really enjoyed doing, so it has some setimental value.
So, I guess the moral of the story is, that DIY clarinet fixing can be a good thing on a clarinet that is in bad shape (or, when you have nothing to loose on it), but I wouldn't suggest tinkering on a clarinet that you have a lot of money invested in unless you know what you are doing.
BCG
Post Edited (2005-09-25 23:30)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-09-26 00:27
Repair Technicians... How did they get there anyway?
Good question. Let me share a bit of insight from my viewpoint.
From what I've read countless times on this BB, Cindy, many techs, as well as do-it-yourselfers who visit here are willing to share their knowledge and skills when asked. I began in high school, during summer and after school during session, working in a repair shop 'apprentice'. I continued for many years after school and military service in the repair field - as well as playing, of course.
As people sometimes do, I took a different career path along the way and stayed with it (benefits were great and the pay wasn't bad ) until I retired.
After retirement I once again turned to repair, this time as a 'hobby' that turned into part time business. I've been doing it now for the past five/six years.
So many folks helped and encouraged me along the way I feel compelled to share, if only to pay back in kind to someone, with other interested folks, what I can about repair and maintenance of musical instruments. Repair schools are very good, make no mistake about that... but, working under a skilled craftsperson or having a caring mentor is far better, in my opinion. If you can find one or the other near you, wonderful. Not nearly as desireable but "can't be beat", is the advice and suggestions you can find right here from any number of willing and caring craftpeople. It's a great place to start, and... it's free for the asking
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-09-26 01:43
I couldn't make it as a brain surgeon (lost my first few patients), so I decided to start working on clarinets instead --- fewer lawsuits.
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Author: cujo
Date: 2005-09-26 01:49
http://www.napbirt.org/
Click on repair schools.
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