Alan Ward, Master Flute and Clarinet Technician
Alan Ward is a certified master flute and clarinet repair technician based in Berkeley. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to produce pristine work, Alan holds certifications from Muramatsu and Straubinger. He is available for new clients and is connecting other technicians worldwide through an instrument repair discord.
Alan is a skilled flute and clarinet repair technician with over a decade of experience.
He is open to new clients and actively connects technicians worldwide through his instrument repair Discord community. With over a decade of experience, Alan's career began in Texas with Ed Flemming at Fleming Instrument Repair. In 2015, he moved to Hawaii to work with Gary Harra, where he refined his skills for five years. In 2020, Alan made the move to California and earned his Muramatsu certification while studying with Paul Rabinov. In addition to his repair work, Alan has a background in music performance on the clarinet, inspired by his father, a retired music educator.
He has a deep passion for music technology and sound engineering, which he explores alongside his avid interest in photography. Alan's innovative spirit extends to producing modular synth music under the names “Slow Drip DMT” and “Polychromatic.” Currently, Alan is focused on fostering a community for repair technicians through a Discord channel and monthly digital meetups. His commitment to excellence and community-building makes him a standout in the field of instrument repair.
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@flutetech 🔧✨ Journey of Flute Restoration: COA, Dent Removal, and Shimming ✨🔧 In this video, I take you through the meticulous process of restoring a 15/85 Brannen Flute and a 9k gold Mancke Headjoint. First, we dive into the detailed Clean, Oil, and Adjust (COA) process. Watch as I carefully remove the pin from the trill keys, clean, and apply new oil to the rod and hinge tube. Next, I tackle the dent removal on a stunning Mancke headjoint. MANCKE has been producing superior handmade headjoints since 1986, and their legacy of excellence shines through in every piece. Finally, explore the intricate art of shimming. This process requires time, experience, and patience, with constant removal and reassembly of keys to ensure perfect pad sealing. The precision needed is immense, and I’m excited to showcase it accurately for the first time. Stay tuned till the end for a play test to see the results!
♬ original sound - Flute Tech 🪈
@alanward.tech Restoring this Buffet R13 clarinet back to perfection! From meticulous key adjustments to conditioning the wood, every step is crafted for ultimate sound quality. Watch the transformation as I bring this Bay Area gem back to life, ready for another chapter of music. 🎶✨ #ClarinetRestoration #BuffetR13 #WoodwindRepair #InstrumentRestoration #BayAreaMusic #ClarinetCommunity #MusicRepair #LuthierLife ♬ LofiHiphop/comfortable/10 minutes(1463765) - nightbird_bgm
Get in touch
Alan is availible for new clients and private training remotely.
Loved by people all around the globe
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