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A Guide to Pursuing a Career in Musical Instrument Repair

Career in Musical Instrument Repair

If you have a passion for music and a keen interest in craftsmanship, a career in musical instrument repair could be your ticket to a fulfilling career in music. As a musical instrument repair technician, you have the opportunity to work with a diverse array of instruments, from delicate violins to powerful brass horns, ensuring they sing with perfect pitch and play beautifully. In this article, we will explore how to pursue a career in musical instrument repair. 

How to Pursue a Trade Career in Musical Instrument Repair

Step 1: Pursue Your Passion for Music and Instruments

A genuine love for music and musical instruments is the foundation of a successful career in repair. Immerse yourself in the world of music, attend concerts, and gain exposure to various instruments. Understanding the nuances of different instruments and their distinctive sounds will not only fuel your passion but also enable you to appreciate the significance of your role as a repair technician. Though you don’t need to be a virtuoso musician, possessing basic musical knowledge is advantageous in musical instrument repair. Familiarize yourself with musical terminologies, notes, scales, and instrument families. This knowledge will help you communicate effectively with musicians and understand the requirements for repairing specific instruments.

Step 2: Develop Instrument-Specific Skills

Different musical instruments have unique characteristics and mechanisms. To become a skilled repair technician, focus on mastering the repair techniques specific to one instrument family at a time. Choose the instrument discipline that interests you most and see if it’s the right fit for you. Most technicians learn and perfect one or two disciplines. For example, you may be interested in learning about the re-padding and adjustment of woodwind keys but not about soldering and dent removal for brass instruments.  

Step 3: Seek Formal Education and Training

Pursuing formal education in musical instrument repair will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience. Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Repair (CIOMIT) offers in person and online instrument repair courses. Choose from a range of repair courses tailored to your preferences and schedule led by experienced technicians in a hands-on, small-group setting. Or opt for our Online Courses to learn at your own convenience without missing out on the hands-on practice and one on one instruction from your Instructor. Alternatively, consider a 5-day intensive Power Course, an in-person instrument repair course for a focused and immersive learning experience. For those seeking comprehensive expertise, there’s a mastery program available for Full Time In-person students, spanning five months per discipline, and covering instrument repair for all types of String, Brass, or Woodwind instruments. 

Step 4: Practice

Supplement your formal education with real-world experience by practicing on instruments. Working under experienced repair technicians will expose you to a wide range of repair scenarios but only the hands-on practice will prepare you to do the real work of repair. We highly encourage you to acquire instruments on which you can safely practice what you learn. In fact, practice is a key component in both our online institute and in person classes

Is a Career in Repair Right for You? 

A trade career in musical instrument repair offers a chance at a rewarding career blending craftsmanship, music, and creativity. By combining your passion for music with formal education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continuous learning, you can become a skilled repair technician capable of returning musical instruments to their former glory. Embrace the challenges and rewards of this unique trade, and you’ll play an integral role in preserving the magic of music for generations to come. Ready to get started? Fill out our commitment free student application or ask us a question!