Band Instrument Repair Program - The Craft

A band instrument repair technician is a problem-solver, mechanic, acoustician, plumber, musician, body worker, innovator, painter, jeweler, tool & die maker, electroplater, counselor, buffer, chemist, designer, carpenter and machine tool operator all in one. A tech will have to employ brute force at times and a feather touch other times.

Technicians must be able to play-test the instruments they repair to uncover any hidden problems mechanically and acoustically. They must understand the intricate relationships that exist among all the parts of a music instrument and carry that knowledge to the repair bench.

Common tasks technicians perform include:

• replacing worn pads and key corks
• soft soldering broken braces & posts
• silver-brazing broken keys
• removing dents
• straightening bent parts and keys
• repairing/adjusting valves and casings
• aligning and fitting moving parts
• regulating and adjusting intricate and complex key mechanisms
• restoring worn parts