How To Learn Instrument Repair
I’m glad you’re interested in instrument repair. We need more technicians in the world. Allow me to unpack the various ways technicians are trained in the USA.
On-The-Job Training
There are a few music stores across the country interested in investing the time to train staff from within. You show up for work and the technicians there share with you what they know when those opportunities arise. It’s an effective way to learn the trade of instrument repair. Many stores are starting to simplify this process by utilizing the training materials from Repair Masterclass to guide the learning process, ensuring the new technician gets everything the seasons professional has to offer.
Some of these jobs are paid, while others are a true apprenticeship, meaning no pay is offered while the technician is coming up to speed. Some of these may even cost you for the training. Investigate this aspect of On-The-Job training with the store and technician but come at this conversation with your eyes wide open: your training is NOT a benefit to them at first, it’s an expense! The time spent training you is bench time away from the seasoned professional who is a commissioned technician. This means you are costing the technician and store money. Understand and respect this fact by showing thanks and showing up every day ready to learn and work.
Apprenticeships
Formal apprenticeship programs are available at various shops across the country, namely Badger State Repair in Elkhorn, WI, Premium Music Products in St. George, UT, and a few others. Each of these formal apprenticeships will cost you money, and a significant amount if they’re any good at what they offer. These opportunities give you the highest number of instruments to work on, the most formalized education, and can guarantee you a job offer at the end.
Trade Schools
Instrument repair is trained at the following technical schools:
Renton Tech in Renton, WA
Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, IA
Redwing Tech in Redwing, MN
These programs will offer the best class room experience and a cohort of students to go through the program with but may lack in their ability to give each student a full load of instruments to train on. Often, these graduates are ready to enter the work force under a supervising tech who will continue to add to their education over the coming years but may not be ready to run their own shop just yet.
Online Programs
These programs are designed to offer you knowledge and direction to your learning but they all lack the hands-on feedback so desperately needed to refine your skills. Even my own online training is lacking in this regard, but it may be a great way to start learning and gives you a leg up when discussing an On-The-Job training opportunity with any store.
These are your options for learning the trade of instrument repair.
