Author: RON B
Date: 2000-11-17 05:20
I can't resist throwing in a couple cents worth of 'for whatever it's worth' here.
In *my opinion* books and tapes fall short. Erick Brand's repair manual has been around for a long, long time, is 'one of the best' out there, and it doesn't cover much more than the bare basics. It also contains some woefully outdated information.
I've taken up repairing clarinets now, at a late stage in life, since I retired and have the time to do it. I had some experience (a couple of years) long, long ago - not a 'real' apprenticeship, which may be why I abandoned it, but I enjoyed doing it then and still do, all these years later. I consult from time to time (once a week, when possible) with a very experienced technician as I go along. Without that; the advice, encouragement, and periodic 'critique' of my progress it would be a frustrating and perhaps disheartening endeavor at best and, I'm almost sure, the interest would have soon evaporated.
I'm fortunate to have met a person who, like John, is willing to share. But it still takes hands on experience and, you're right, John, lots of practice - at least as much, if not more, than playing a horn. Please, let me back up here. I don't mean to minimize the value of books and tapes; they are good references - reminders - to those aspects of the craft that so easily slip our minds at crucial times. I've found that keeping a notebook is helpful too.
I love to play and maintain my own instruments and would encourage anyone interested in doing so to... do so  Of course, I'd advise diving into an eBay junker first. Then, who knows (?), you might even turn it around for a profit... if you haven't whittled away the tone holes by the time you get it fixed :]
Happy Horns to You!
RON B
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The Clarinet BBoard
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