Owning or renting a musical instrument can be so much fun! But with a musical instrument comes some responsibilities, one of them being keeping your instrument in proper working order! You can do some things on your own to keep your instrument in good condition, but if something isn’t working properly, you’ll have to take it to a music repair shop.
How Do I Know If My Instrument Needs Repairs?
It’s essential to know how your (or your student’s) instrument responds when it’s being played. Being familiar with how the instrument should respond when it is in perfect working order will help you identify when there is a problem. Some issues might be hard to detect, but some of the most common things to look out for on an instrument include unusual noises, jammed keys or valves, rusty or broken strings, and rusty or broken valves. If something seems off with your instrument, it is never a bad idea to bring it into a reputable music repair shop to have it looked over.
How Do Music Repair Shops Work?
When you bring your instrument in, a technician will look it over and give you a diagnosis regarding what is wrong with it, along with an estimate for how much it will cost to complete the repairs. From there, you should be able to decide whether or not you want to fix your instrument. Some music repair shops may be able to complete an instrument repair in a matter of a few days, while some repairs that are more complicated or shops that have a long wait could take a week or two. If the instrument is needed back quickly, be sure to check with the repair shop to see how long it will take so you can plan accordingly. Music repair shops can also perform preventative maintenance on your instrument or provide cleaning services.
Replace Instrument Parts
Every instrument has replaceable elements that can get worn out and need to be replaced over time. Every few years, woodwinds require new pads (located beneath each key) and corks (positioned on the keys and joints). Screws can come loose from brass instruments, and water key corks may need to be replaced. Taking your instrument to a shop for service allows the experts to examine it and replace parts before it causes your instrument to be unplayable.
Getting An Instrument “Check-Up”
Experienced musicians know that there is nothing worse than needing an instrument repair in the middle of a hectic practice season or the night before a performance. You can keep your instrument in peak condition by planning at least one trip to the repair shop every year. As a bonus, addressing all of the instrument’s repair needs at once reduces the risk of significant damage, which could save you time and money in the long run.
Keeping Your Instrument Clean
At the very least, our musical instruments (especially those that are mouth-blown) require periodic cleaning. Each time you play, you add saliva and food particles to the inner workings of the instrument. Stringed instruments need to be cleaned too! The dirt and oils from our fingers can build up and cause damage to the strings and wood. It’s possible that putting off cleaning for too long will result in sticky slides, valves, or pad surfaces in the instrument itself. The exterior might also become dirty or tarnished with time if regular cleaning isn’t done. A trip to the repair shop offers your instrument’s parts an opportunity to be cleaned by a professional who can get in all the nooks and crannies.
Bring Your Instrument Into CIOMIT Today!
CIOMIT is a music repair shop, and we pride ourselves on our excellent service. We offer free estimates for repair or restoration services, and our technicians will talk you through everything, so you know exactly what to expect. With an average turnaround time of one week, you won’t be left without your instrument for long. If you’re still deciding which instrument is best for you or your student, view our guide on choosing a school band instrument. CIOMIT is open for walk-in service, or you can call or email us with any questions! Let us take care of your instrument today!