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| Home / College Guide / From teaching music to fixing it: The Melody Mechanic is open for business - Cut |
| Posted on Wednesday, January 21 @ 00:00:15 PST |
From teaching music to fixing it: The Melody Mechanic is open for business
After six years of teaching music, Aaron Shafer decided he would rather fix it.
I have always been interested in repairs, said Aaron. I went back to school for a year and learned instrument repair and tuning pianos. Then I was fortunate to go to work for Eckroth Music in Bozeman.
Aaron was there a year and a half, then came back home to Conrad. Though he didnt grow up here, he taught music at Conrad High for two years and considers it home.
We bought a house together the first year we were here and then got married, said Aaron.
His wife is also a music teacher. Before coming to Conrad, Aaron taught in eastern Montana in Fairview for four years. It was there he met his wife.
What was the first instrument he learned to play?
The trumpet, he said. I was in fourth grade and chose the trumpet because it only had three buttons and I thought it would be easy. Little did I know.
After the baritone euphonium he switched to a trombone.
He played all the way through school and college in different music settings from ensemble, to jazz, orchestra, to marching bands.
I enjoyed brass or jazz bands the most, said Aaron.
Because its a different style.
They played marches and pop tunes.
In an orchestra each piece requires different instruments and maybe only one or two brass that may only play a few notes.
Aaron is a fan of the colliery band, an ensemble of 30 or so brass instruments and two to four percussions. Originating in the coal mining communities in the United Kingdom, colliery bands are a form of entertainment and community pride for miners. They compete in contests and perform locally.
When it comes to repairs, Aarons focus is on brass band instruments. He was working on a clarinet with a sticky valve. He also tunes pianos and handles piano regulation, fixing sticky keys and replacing strings. His favorite to repair? The flute.
I dont know why, said Aaron. I just enjoy it.
His second favorite to repair is the trombone.
And teaching music is not entirely something in Aarons past. He does offer private lessons on band instruments and offers used ones for sale.
Currently quick repair turnarounds are possible, since his business is new. However, the time needed to fix an instrument is on a case-by-case basis. His busiest time is the summer when school is out.
Thats when schools send their band instruments out for repair.
Aaron has no set hours that his repair shop is open, since he could be out tuning a piano. Its best to call first and leave a message if he doesnt answer. Aaron can be reached at 406-213-6614 or by email at [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection). The shop address is 706 S. Delaware, Suite B in Conrad.
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