TubeNet

Greetings all,

I teach the instrument repair class here at Bowling Green, and recently found that the text I have used in the past is out of print. Has anyone here taught a similar class, and if so, have a text to recommend? The class is aimed at undergraduate music ed majors. I take an approach of teaching as much what not to try as what to try.

Many thanks in advance for any/all help!

Tim

I believe that Ferree's still sells the original Erick Brand book. Not a bad text, considering its age.

Actually, I would love to write my own text. Unfortunately, the class starts in about a month, and I haven't the time to spare right now. But it is definitely an idea for the future!

Tim

While the Erick Brand book has some value, it is full of obsolete and environmentally unfriendly ideas. I wouldn't recommend it.

Saska's "A Guide to Repairing Woodwinds" is written in basic style and covers tenon corks, neck corks as well as some more advanced topics that most band directors won't be able to do due to a lack of equipment and experience. Available from JL Smith Co. and others.

Having said that, if you let me know what you want to teach them, I'll be happy to develop a packet of materials that you could use for the classes. I have over two thousand pages of handouts at my disposal. Obviously, there are things that all band directors should know how to do and things they should stay away from.

If I can help in any way, let me know.
Daryl

tubarepair wrote:While the Erick Brand book has some value, it is full of obsolete and environmentally unfriendly ideas. I wouldn't recommend it.

What--Biight Dip? Why it's Mother's milk--not!

I have a question kind of on the topic. When going for music ed in college do they have a course that pertains to instrumental repair? if not often do you know of a school or recomend a school that teachs instrument repair?
Just kind of off topic thanks josh

Well, some schools do offer it as a separate course (as we do at Bowling Green), and some offer some repair as part of the instrumental methods courses and/or band methods courses. Some don't offer it at all. That is something you might want to check into when looking at schools. I wouldn't base the decision for a school on that, but it is something to consider.

Tim

bump

(no offense to those who have answered)

tubarepair,

If the offer is still good I'll take you up on the notes.

Tim

Tim,

Received your email. I'll get them out to you this week. DLH

Daryl,

Many thanks! You are wonderful!

Tim

Tim,
I am very curious as to what types of repair you teach in your program?

I am assuming simple brass basics, like how to properly fit and install an H2O cork and spring, and measuring for/installing valve corks and felts. Maybe even how to restring a rotor valve.

Woodwinds - I am guessing the most basic adjusments to a flute or clarinet, installation of a simple key cork or pad and maybe how to recork a sax neck or clarinet tenon. Maybe correcting a loose spring. I would guess this would be something that you could write out in such a manner that you would have ''made to order'' material that would be exact and to the point; something that would cover just the basics and that your class would be able to easily apply to their given task. Anything more, in my opinion is confusing and a waste of time.

Just a thought.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
Saving the world, one horn at a time...
www.oberloh.com

David,

I agree whole-heartedly with what you said. I actually would prefer to do exactly that. The biggest issue is time. I have too many things going right now that I could not assemble adequate materials. I hope to put something together in the future when things slow down. But your point is very well taken.

Tim

My goal is to take the information that Tim has given me on the scope of the training and select material that meets his criteria. I won't be sending the literature on converting French horns to detachable bells, nor will I send them information on carbon-fibre banding cracked clarinet joints!

Just the basics. My personal opinion is that we need to teach band directors how to evaluate problematic instruments - not repair them. When I was a band director, I didn't have the time to do any extensive repairs, I was too busy preparing for the next concert or football game.

DLH

Oops!

As you can see, I don't even have enough time to proof my postings! It should have been addressed to Daniel, not David. My apologies Mr. Oberloh!

Tim

No Worries ; )

Daniel C. Oberloh