 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-11-01 01:00
I'm a fairly serious student clarinetist and I’m hit with a slightly above average number of clarinet repair problems. I play an early R-13, which I love dearly, but it spends a lot of time in the repair shop. I'd like to learn how to do basic, simple repairs by myself- I can do some things, but not much. Recently I had a little incident with removing a key and not putting it back on correctly (you guys saved me again) that made me realize that I really should learn how to fix my instrument a little more. Are there any books or websites where I can get some information?
Thanks,
Micaela
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-11-01 01:46
Find a local tech who is willing to show you some things in exchange for a little grunt work. It may take you a while but most techs are willing to teach if there is something in it for them.
jbutler
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Author: joevacc
Date: 2001-11-01 01:48
Micaela,
The "Band Instrument Repairing Manual" by Erick D. Brand is a standard. You can get the book from http://www.ferreestools.com/ along with all manner of repair supplies and of course tools.
A great way to learn, in my experience is to find an old beater and get it playing. I found a beat up old metal horn on ebay for $25.00 bucks and worked on it for a while. After that I was well on my way to doing several other clarinets with great result! Of course, with one certain alto I bought, the repair was over my head. I sent it to some who knew what he was doing! ;~)
I totally rebuilt a horn two years ago (my main horn at the time) and it is a fine player now. It took a while to get it perfect so be patient. I would take it to my lesson and have my private teacher have a go at it and he would tell me if I had missed something.
It is a lot of fun working on clarinets so go for it! Just try the repair on a horn that is junk first!
Good luck,
-=[Joe Vacc]=-
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-11-01 08:31
One of the anti-technician site leapards will probably jump on me for this....
A well set-up clarinet is in a fairly long-term reliable state. If you do your own mechanism lubrication I think you should be able to expect at least a year or two between servicings.
If your clarinet needs to spend so much time with the technician then it is probable that your technician is only (perhaps barely) capably of, in your words, of "basic, simple repairs." Underlying conditions are probably not being dealt with.
The fact is that it takes a lot more than mediocre skill and experience (not to mention equipment) to do work that has long-term reliability.
It is likely that you will have to do a lot more than "learn how to do basic, simple repairs " before you can make your instrument reliable. My impression is that there are not really many of them.
But by all means, get a dunger and practice on it. Get the Eric Brand book but it is not a bible. Treat it as a document that is no substitute for the knowledge that comes from experience alongside compulsive mechanical analysis and perfectionism.
Be careful, as you can do a lot of damage with a little knowledge (and inadequate equipment), and then you will DEFINITELY need a really good technician to correct the mess.
Example: A local pro flute teacher ran a class for students on how to do "basic, simple repairs". Next I get a multi-thousand dollar flute with plier marks crunched into all the pivot rods and the silver pivot tubes chewed out by these marks acting as files when the instrument was assembled. Very few keys would operate. That sort of damage is on a par with dipping a car in salt water!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-01 16:10
I agree with the above responses, Michaela. In addition, I'd like to offer you my personal two cents worth.
There's really is nothing better than hands on experience under the watchful eye of an experienced technician. Clarinets are, in my opinion, one of the easiest of woodwinds to service. A word of caution though, they can and will give you fits if you don't understand the mechanics behind their functions. A good tech can teach you, in what may seem later like moments, things you might struggle with for months by trial and error on your own or posting here, then trying to decipher all the responses you'll certainly get.
Joe and Gordon both suggest practicing on a 'beater' - I'd like to emphatically second that Don't risk your good personal instrument as a learning tool. Doing the job right is a great personal satisfaction. Doing it right to your own instrument is a verrry great personal satisfaction))
John's comment about techs being willing to teach you is also right on, at least in my experience it has been. As long as you state up front what you want to do you'll find support for your effort. Try to arrange time when she or he isn't too busy with other horns and maybe make some agreement that will benefit you both, whether you sell (on consignment, maybe?) the instrument(s) you fix or just pay outright for 'lessons' (at least offer to pay, you might be pleasantly surprised
Be patient, the paying customers always come first. In any case, whether you do the actual work there or at home to bring in for critique, do pay for your own materials.
Manuals are good for reference. Websites, what few there are, are superficial at best. There's no substitute for person to person mentoring.
- ron b -
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Author: [deleted]
Date: 2001-11-02 02:11
[deleted by webmaster]
I don't know how to say it more plainly that the words on every page ... but in case anyone misunderstands:
<b><font size=+2>DON'T ADVERTISE HERE!</font></b>
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-02 04:44
Benny...This board is for non-commercial use only...no self-promotion is allowed...
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-11-02 23:03
Thanks for all your advice! Maybe I'll experiment a little on my plastic...I don't want to do anything drastic, just some simple things. And maybe I'll try to get a job at a music store next summer.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-11-03 02:58
Micaela:
I was taught in college the basic rudiments of instrument repair for all instruments in a course which I doubt is taught any more. Although this has helped me immensely in over 37 years of teaching, many in the boon docks of both east and west Texas miles from a repair man, I still sent major repair work in for the experts to take care of. Emergenty repair I could do, including silver soldering broken keys, but fine tuning of the mechanism of an oboe or piccolo, etc., I left to those who KNEW what they were doing. Be very careful when you experiment on your own horn, much less some one else's instrument!!!
Bob Curtis
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 17:51
You may not like my two cents worth, but, as I always say, take it to a good instrument repair person. If you don't have one nearby, ask around for one or try some of Sneezy's sponsors.
You can't go wrong with people who have done previous business with your BB mates and are recommended by them. There are too many people on the BB who really "know" for anyone who won't do an outstanding job to last here any time at all.
If you are having frequent minor repair problems, I agree that your repair person is not addressing all the "hidden" problems. Perhaps the instrument is just plain worn out, which is doubtful, but could happen.
There are instruments out there that have had recurring problems of one sort or another due to any number of reasons, including age, wear, covered-up or impercieved original factory defects, covered-up after market abuse, etc.
Perhaps your repair person does not know enough about clarinets, or perhaps he/she is one of these people who figures that something they don't tighten up today is just another service fee waiting to happen. There are some who do this.
If your instrument is important, have a really competent technician do a complete overhaul and adjustment. If the person is really worth his salt, he/she will also tell you before they do anything to it, if it's worth doing at all.
Either way you'll know, and I don't think you'll be sorry you did it.
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