How To Become a Musical Instrument Repair Technician

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It’s a good time to be in the music industry.

Sources say that more young people are learning to play instruments than ever before, and musical instrument sales are increasing. And with more musical instruments out there, demand for repair services has also increased — this makes it the perfect time for new musical instrument repair technicians to join the industry.

Have you ever wondered how to become a musical instrument repair technician? For those who enjoy music and musical instruments, it’s a great way to work in a field you enjoy. There’s also high earning potential for these skilled laborers, and this venture can be run as a side business.

Often the owner of a music store offers instrument repair services as part of their business model, but not every instrument repair technician operates as part of a store. Whether you’re already in the music business or want to join the industry, this blog will go step by step through the process of gaining the expertise and experience you need to get started.

Learning how to become a musical instrument repair technician requires careful study and years of practice, but with a passion for musical instruments and hard work, you can help countless musicians keep their instruments in good condition.

1. Learn Your Responsibilities

Musical instrument repair technicians do more than just fix instruments. They’re often the one to diagnose what’s wrong with the instrument in the first place. When a customer comes in with a dysfunctional instrument, the repair technician needs to know enough about the instrument to determine the source of the issue. At other times, what’s wrong with the instrument is clear, but you need to know how to repair it.

The amount of instruments a technician can fix depends on their experience and knowledge — but the more instruments you can fix, the more musicians you can work with. Some repair technicians work with one or a few instruments, others work with a particular instrument family like brass or percussion — and others work with dozens of instruments.

While it’s important to practice to gain expertise, you should have a significant knowledge of an instrument before you take on a repair assignment on your own. When people entrust you with their instruments, they expect quality work. The higher quality you deliver, the more customers will want to work with you.

2. Assess Your Interests and Skills

Becoming an instrument repair technician isn’t for everyone, so before you embark on this journey, it’s important to assess if it’s a good fit for you. Some important factors to consider are your interest in music and your aptitude for working with mechanical devices.

Before starting on the path of a musical instrument repair technician, ask yourself these questions:

Do I enjoy working with musical instruments?
Do I play musical instruments?
Do I like working with mechanical devices?
Am I proficient in working with tools and hardware?
Do I enjoy problem solving?

These questions help you gauge if this is the right path for you. Remember: You don’t have to play every instrument that you learn how to fix, but the ability to play an instrument helps you understand how it should sound and how it’s supposed to work — this makes the repair process easier.

3. Acquire the Necessary Education

To excel in the field of instrument repair, you need to learn the ropes — but this education can come in a few different forms. You might attend a university that offers courses in instrument repair, or a technical school that offers these courses. You can also find specialized courses specifically for instrument repair, including online courses. Or, you could learn on the job by finding an apprenticeship with a professional instrument repair technician.

Whether it’s a university, technical school, or a music-specific school, these institutions teach you the theory behind repairing instruments, as well as practical skills to do so.

An apprenticeship may offer less in the way of formal theory, but teaches you plenty of practical skills on the job. An apprenticeship may feel a little more like being thrown in the deep end, but with hard work, you’ll gain plenty of skills.

While a formal education is customizable based on the kinds of instruments you want to work with and your goals, it can also be expensive. With an apprenticeship you’ll likely be paid for your work as you learn, but you’ll be limited to the kinds of repairs your mentor works with. Do your research to determine what opportunities are out there and what makes the most sense based on your educational goals.

3. Build a Professional Toolkit

To effectively repair musical instruments, you need the right tools. Some general tools are useful for many different kinds of instruments, while other instruments require specific tools.

Here are a few examples of general tools you should have on hand:

Screwdriver set
Electronic tuner
Oils and greases
Cleaning kit

You’ll likely need additional tools, specific to the kinds of instruments you’re working with. For example, some string instruments need string cutters and bridge pin pullers, while drums require a drum key. As you gain more experience, you’ll have a better idea of what the most important tools are for each instrument.

Be sure to invest in high-quality tools to speed up the repair process and avoid damaging an instrument. If you’re running a music store, you might even stock some commonly used tools so your customers can do repairs themselves.

4. Understand Business Fundamentals

Offering additional services like repairs or music lessons to your business can help it become a one-stop-shop for all of your customers’ music needs. Offering these services will improve a customer’s experience and increase their brand loyalty.

As an individual musical instrument repair technician, you can either set up an independent business or join the staff of a music store to offer repairs. If you do decide to operate independently, you need a workspace, the proper licenses, and marketing strategies. Do research on these business fundamentals so you’re prepared for what running a business will throw at you.

5. Continue To Learn

Even when you’ve built up significant experience in the field of instrument repair, it’s important to stay informed about new developments. There may be new instrument designs and tools that you need to be aware of to be effective in your role.

Industry publications about musical instruments can be helpful to keep yourself informed about new developments. You can also keep your skills current by taking online courses. Online certifications in musical instrument repair strengthen your qualifications, helping you secure more work.

6. Network and Build a Client Base

Whether you’re working with a larger music store or as an independent instrument repair technician, it’s important to network to gain clients and build trust. Get in contact with local musicians and schools to begin making a name for yourself.

A great resource for networking and marketing is social media. Use social media accounts to advertise your repair services to local musicians in the area. This can be even more effective if you find music-related collaborators who have a following on social media. As each business advertises the other, both businesses will build brand awareness.

Remember: If you provide great repair services, customers will spread the word. As you interact with customers, ask them to tell their friends, so you can gain more clients and expand your business.

Learning How To Become a Musical Instrument Repair Technician

Becoming a musical instrument repair technician requires a love of music, diligent study, and a deep knowledge of how to market your skills and run a small business. First, you need to educate yourself. You can learn how to become a musical instrument repair technician from a university course, independent course, or from mentorships. Over time, you’ll acquire the expertise, experience, and tools you need to be successful.

You can build a strong network of clients by doing great work and being trustworthy. Remember to stay up to date on new trends and technology in instruments and repair, so you can continue to do great work. As you follow these essential steps, you’ll be able to serve your community of musicians and find success as a repair specialist.

To help you manage your music business, you need a point of sale (POS) system. Music Shop 360 is a POS system designed specifically for music stores. With features for managing instrument repairs, taking payments, tracking inventory, and much more, Music Shop 360 has everything you need to run a music store.