With a fascination of acoustical physics and 25 years of professional woodwind experience on stage, recording and teaching, Willie is offering his repair skills to the public. He personally knows the joy of expressive freedom and takes pride in a job well done.

Call or Text: 503-621-2004

E-mail: williejmatheis@gmail.com

The Role and Limitations of a Musical Instrument

A musician’s Instrument is their vehicle for expression. Its design and condition will enhance or hinder the musician’s expression, enjoyment and development. A poorly designed instrument will limit a musician. An excellently designed instrument that is in disrepair will be as limiting.

In either case an individual is forced to overcompensate and develop bad habits to get the instrument to respond. These developed habits may produce the best possible results on that particular instrument, however they are counter to the proper technique for playing a professional and well regulated instrument. These bad habits will certainly be limiting for a serious musician along their career.

The Role of a Repair Tech

In the end, an instrument will only play as well as it was designed. Ultimately the job of the repair tech is to bring the instrument back to its intended design. There are few modifications that will improve upon the instrument’s original design without compromising some essential aspect of the instrument.

For a woodwind instrument there are three factors which contribute to its playability and resonance (ease of producing standing waves).

• First and most easy to notice is the condition of the pads. If the pads are torn, warped and dried out they will not form a seal when closed.
• Second are mechanical issues. Loose pivot screws and rods, excessive dirt or debris, bent body tube, missing or worn regulation corks, bent/misaligned keys, loose key fit, loose rod fit in key posts and poor tenon-receiver fit.
• Third are dents. Depending where they are located and their severity, they can be an obvious culprit for intonation and resonance as well as key function.

All these possible issues interfere with the traveling sine wave and the formation of standing waves. Standing waves are the phenomena we perceive as pitch.