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I'm a Music Ed. major and as much as I love teaching, I've recently had a fascination with instrument repair, mainly brass because... well, let's be honest, it's all that matters. Just joking. But back to the subject. I've always been good with fixing mechanical things (cars, washing machines, etc.) and I was wondering if anyone out there might have any input as to what I could do to pick up some knowledge and maybe a little extra cash along the way by doing some instrument repair on the side.

Thanks,

CONTRA STEVE!!!! Leave it to you to be the first to post advice. Off topic, but how you been?

artuba wrote:...I was wondering if anyone out there might have any input as to what I could do to pick up some knowledge and maybe a little extra cash along the way by doing some instrument repair on the side.

I would recommend contacting excellent instrument repair technicians in your area to see if they need and are willing to take on an apprentice.

You can take the one-year training programs, and they are like a freshman-level survey course. They are more designed to get your started than anything. You'll still need to apprentice with a master, and probably for a goodly amount of time.

You'll be Buffer Boy for a long time before they trust you with a dent hammer or a lathe. Be warned.

And don't expect much in the way of pay.

The good technicians have more work than they can handle and they eat well. But not many of them are in their 20's, if you know what I mean.

Rick "thinking you'll have to pay a lot of dues" Denney

I'd suggest doing some observation. Just like the in-school teacher observation, perhaps a technician would let you observe for a day if you put it to them in that light "Observe (swear on a bible: NOT comment) for a day as backround for a future career choice". Find out quickly up front if it's for you.

I'm surprised no one has posted a link to the NAPBIRT website, yet. There's information about training schools and also a locator to find technicians in your area. Here:

http://www.napbirt.org/

Hi Artuba -

The fact that you're a Music Education major who has developed a fascination with instrument repair is only natural, commendable, and to be encouraged. It happened to me too. It all started for me with replacing pads and fixing leaks on school horns. And, all of the suggestions above are very good.

I don't do much repair work to brass instruments since I'm not trained to do so, and lack the proper tools. However, I have worked on a lot of Flutes, Clarinets and Saxes, since many of the tools needed for them don't cost as much. Until you can find an apprenticeship somewhere, you might want to find a copy of Kenneth Mueller's book "Complete Guide To The Maintenance And Repair Of Band Instruments". I've gotten a lot of useful information from that book.

Good luck satisfying your curiousity -