Fixing Strings
Jedi Jason, Master of the Force
Hi everyone,
One of the horns in my section broke her string today on her third key
right before we recorded our CD, and after the recording, we laughed
about how she had to avoid all A flats and C sharps, although it wasn't
for a while that I learned that she could have used virtually any
fingering and still basically get the same note. Anyway, being a
section leader, I thought it would be better if I knew a bit about horn
repair, and I was wondering how long it usually takes a person to repair
a broken string. On my first attempt today, it took me about 10
minutes, has anyone ever been in a REALLY stressful position that they
had to do it in say...2 minutes? Can't wait to hear your stories. :)
See ya,
Best Wishes,
-- Jason
Andrew Karre
Once you get good at it, you can do it in under two minutes. The whole
problem is actually having a string and a screwdriver on hand. When you
restring your valves, leave enough excess on one so that you could trim it
of and restring another with it.
If you replace your strings yearly, regardless of condition, you will
probably avoid an inconvenient break.
I'm a little worried about this statement. "...although it wasn't for a
while that I learned that she could have used virtually any fingering and
still basically get the same note. "
to be in tune(or F side 12 for C#), but not "virtually any fingering".
Have fun with your string.
Andrew Karre
Jedi Jason, Master of the Force wrote in message
<34F678...@torfree.net>...
Lance Voss
I hate suprises in performance, so I use deep sea fishing line for valve
string. You can land a Marlin with it. It's not going to break.
Lance
===========
<34F678...@torfree.net>, cb...@torfree.net says...
Jedi Jason, Master of the Force
Andrew Karre wrote:
>
> Once you get good at it, you can do it in under two minutes. The whole
> problem is actually having a string and a screwdriver on hand. When you
> restring your valves, leave enough excess on one so that you could trim it
> of and restring another with it.
the conductor had to go into the audience and ask "Is there a
screwdriver in the house?". Would the excess string get tangled up or
anything in the other strings, and/or the rotors?
> If you replace your strings yearly, regardless of condition, you will
> probably avoid an inconvenient break.
So far, I've heard of regular string and fishing line being used, I use
this black string...it looks like embroidary thread, but it's
plasticlike and it's durable. What else can be used?
> I'm a little worried about this statement. "...although it wasn't for a
> while that I learned that she could have used virtually any fingering and
> still basically get the same note. "
> She could use 1st valve and a considerable amount of lip and or right hand
> to be in tune(or F side 12 for C#), but not "virtually any fingering".
I'll be more careful in the future when I tell the other members in my
section about their fingering and how they should approach it. :)
> Have fun with your string.
It's extremely wasteful to practice stringing your instrument, because
every time I do it, I end up cutting it off throwing the string away,
doing it again, etc. etc. Should I practice with fishing line instead?
Thanks everyone,
Take care,
-- Jason
Burt Rubenstein
We use 50 pound or 70 pound "squidding" line -- a heavy fishing line
available at many sporting goods stores. It is durable and costs about $5
for 100 yards (enough for several life times).
Barbara Mazza
I use string that came with a leather-working kit; it's thick enough,
strong enough and it appears to be slightly waxed so that the ends don't
fray. When I strung the B-flat key, I left
enough extra length on it to re-string another key, so all I need is a
something to cut with and turn a screw with, (pocket knife, nail clipper)
and I could do the re-stringing right where I sit. If you start with a
pre-cut length of string and suitable tool, two minutes should be plenty of
time. It helps to have done it a few times before.
Paul Ryder
>I was wondering how long it usually takes a person to repair
>a broken string. On my first attempt today, it took me about 10
>can't wait to hear your stories
It wasn't a broken string but it was to do with valves and immediately
before a performance! It was when I was in my local wind band: we were
waiting to go on stage when the screw that runs through the centre of the
spring at the top of the valve-levers became undone. So, the valve-levers
weren't connected to the horn and I couldn't use the valves... Somehow I
got the screw back in place and tightened it up with my thumbnail with
literally only seconds to spare! These days I play on a horn with better
designed valve levers!
--
Paul Ryder
Physicist and French Hornist
Paul Ryder
>I hate suprises in performance
Oh go on - they're fun! Music falling off my stand and under the stage was
the best one for me!
Helen Read
Jedi Jason, Master of the Force wrote:
>
> Andrew Karre wrote:
> >
> > Once you get good at it, you can do it in under two minutes. The whole
> > problem is actually having a string and a screwdriver on hand. When you
> > restring your valves, leave enough excess on one so that you could trim it
> > of and restring another with it.
>
> I had an interesting competition 2 weeks ago where a clarinet broke and
> the conductor had to go into the audience and ask "Is there a
> screwdriver in the house?". Would the excess string get tangled up or
> anything in the other strings, and/or the rotors?
I personally don't like excess string. Instead I keep a few strings in
my case, already cut to the correct length, knotted and ready to go, and
keep my pocket knife (which has a screw driver) in my backpack, which is
usually with me. Not having to cut or knot the string allows for a
really quick change. For performances, I stick the knife and a few
strings right in my pocket.
I use 50 pound test braided nylon trolling line (be sure to avoid the
plastic monofilament kind), and haven't had one break in ages.
Come to think of it, maybe I should change them all as a proactive
measure....
Helen Read
Helen Read
Paul Ryder wrote:
>
> >I hate suprises in performance
>
> Oh go on - they're fun! Music falling off my stand and under the stage was
> the best one for me!
greased third valve slide (F horn side) go *flying* out of my horn while
playing. It flew through the air, landing among the woodwind players.
Helen Read
Jon Cohen
In article <34F8B936...@together.net>,
Helen Read <h...@together.net> wrote:
>My favorite was playing in the pit during a show, and having my freshly
>greased third valve slide (F horn side) go *flying* out of my horn while
>playing. It flew through the air, landing among the woodwind players.
So Helen, is this how you know if you're using TOO MUCH air? :-)
BTW, I sent my tuning slide flying across the room during a lesson when
my horn teacher scared the shit out of me right while I was emptying the
thing. She was apologizing for weeks, though ;-)
Jon
Helen Read
Jon Cohen wrote:
>
> In article <34F8B936...@together.net>,
> Helen Read <h...@together.net> wrote:
> >My favorite was playing in the pit during a show, and having my freshly
> >greased third valve slide (F horn side) go *flying* out of my horn while
> >playing. It flew through the air, landing among the woodwind players.
>
> So Helen, is this how you know if you're using TOO MUCH air? :-)
>
Heh--either that or too much grease :-)
Helen
Dan Banks
>keep my pocket knife (which has a screw driver) in my backpack, which is
>usually with me. Not having to cut or knot the string allows for a
>really quick change. For performances, I stick the knife and a few
>strings right in my pocket.
Just this week a fellow member of my horn section broke a string, about
30 minutes before our performance. I am of the cult who believe that one
must always carry the largest practical pocketknife on one's person at all
times. Mine has 5 screwdrivers, scissors, pliers, a hack saw, ... the list
goes on. Needless to say, 30 minutes was more than enough time to restring
the valve.
Dan Banks