Loose screws can be a real problem for a director and his student. Unfortunately tightening a loose screw is not always the answer. Some screws make critical adjustments and they need to be put into a specific place. One other concern that there should be is the reason the screw is loose. Often improper handling can be the cause, sometimes lack of maintenance can be the cause.
Once you are out of an emergency situation with a loose screw, it is important to have the instrument looked at by a professional. The screws that are loose are not always part of the instrument. Sometimes the student has some loose screws. Often students will not allow their parents or teachers make the proper adjustments on their “screws”, but put in a professional situation with a competent craftsman, the necessary adjustments to all “loose screws” can be made.
In our experience those teachers and parents that do not try to insulate their students from this professional situation have the problems with the “loose screws” dealt with in a longer lasting more progressive manner.
