Some people will be coming to this blog for recorder stuff...so...the first official post of the "new and improved" blog is gonna be just that - something about the recorder (don't worry technology people, I have something up my sleeve for you on next week's post).
I teach recorder to my fourth graders. I have gone through many processes as far as instruments are concerned - requiring them to be brought as a grade, having the school purchase as a "consumable" etc. etc. But I've comfortably settled into the idea that each student should have the opportunity to purchase their own and then provide "loaners" for the rest who don't buy or forget. So, in the fall right after school starts, I search for the most affordable deals I can find on decent instruments, throw a letter out to parents, and then collect the money to make the purchase. Through the years I've gotten pretty good at guessing how many will want to buy their own, so rather than waiting to collect, I just order them before the first week of school.
Once the "shine" wears off, you know what it's like - the kids NEVER bring them. What to do? "Practice fingering on your pencil..." No. That goes against my grain. I want every student PLAYING...so...in the event they didn't buy their own or forgot, I always have loaners to let them use during their class. No penalty, just get one and let's move on. I actually have enough to provide one for everyone should the entire class forget (and yes, as wonderful as I am, this has happened...I certainly don't want to provide the illusion that my teaching is perfect and my students are always so motivated 100% of the time that they'll be making a "Music of the Heart-2" based on my life). I have sterilization of these instruments down to a science...but I digress...
The Problem
No matter how much I preach about "teeth never touching the recorder" they always do. And, over the years, some of my loaners start to look like a rabid dog hat a go at them.
These loaners were extremely inexpensive one-piece recorders; however, I did not wish to spend my valuable (and shrinking) budget dollars on buying a class set of recorders, so I came up with this solution.
In the home improvement world, there is a product called "Plasti Dip."
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip I remembered hearing about it 100 years ago during an in-service about nutrition (yes, nutrition...don't ask). Counter to what the name may suggest, it actually creates a rubber (not plastic) coating. My local Lowe's sells this stuff. It comes in a variety of colors, but Lowe's only carries black - which worked just fine for me since my class set of recorders are black with ivory mouthpieces.
Before you get started, like with anything else, READ THE DIRECTIONS. The fumes from this stuff are particularly noxious. I did the initial work in my kitchen - shouldn't have done that - the house smelled all night! Find a nice, wind-free, outdoor area or a garage with the door open.
The Process
Shake the heck out of the can before you pop the top (I forgot to do this and was initially freaked out that the stuff was not adhering). Dip the mouthpiece slowly into the Plasti Dip and then slowly out, give it a couple gentle shakes to remove excess drippage, then stand your instruments up in a drinking glass to dry.
Once you've dipped them all, let them dry at least four hours (recommendation on the can). I will tell you, however, even after four hours, the part I'm about to address still yielded some wet stuff. I already know what some of you are thinking, "Oh that toxic smell is so horrible for the innocent children!" Not to worry - after it dries all the way, the smell completely goes away.
Now...the mouthpiece opening is coated with a nice new rubber top - OOPS! Just take a small craft knife and cut out the covered hole.
If during your process, you got some Plasti Dip down into the mouthpiece or some ran in there - DO NOT PANIC. This happened to me (only 'cuz I was in my usual hurry to get 'er done). Easy fix. A long straight pin (or "hat pin" as they were once called...I yanked this one off a dried boutonniere I had handy). Oh, and blog readers - respect! Do you know how difficult it is to spell boutonniere?
You may be able to see in this picture...the pin is long enough to reach through the opening in the fipple. Stick it in there and wiggle it around a bit. You'll be able to make the recorder function.
That's it! All repaired. Now I can start the school year without hearing "Mine's all bitten! I want a different one!" Supposedly, again according to the can (and website), this rubber coating "protects against abrasion." I'm willing to bet my fourth graders can give them a run for their money. We'll see. At any rate - the total cost of this project was $7.45. I'll take it. AND...I only used about a quarter of the can. That sure beats $66.00 plus shipping (the cost of 24 new Canto one-piece recorders).
Since I have 3/4 of a can of Plasti Dip left, I'm off to see what else around my house needs a black rubber coating...see you next week...
