Slowly, more and more of the instrument came into focus. I needed to see all of it. I needed to see its secrets. So, I carefully positioned myself to see as much of the harp as I could. It was a mirror in a golden frame, so I could only see the gold, but I could definitely see most of the harp. I stopped what it was I was doing, not sure why but compelled to stare at it.
It was covered in dust, which was no surprise. It hadn't been played or cleaned in years if not decades. I hesitated, but I couldn't stop. I had to see the harp. I had to see the wood of the binding, the shape of the instrument, the purples and pinks of the spiral neck, the bindings on the back of the instrument, the harp-shaped holes, ANYTHING. I wanted to see them. I wanted to see them more than I ever wanted anything.
I started to play a tune just to hear what those strings were made of, how the sound would travel through the instrument... But I stopped myself. I couldn't ruin it. I had to get it in good shape first. It was worth it, though. I needed it. I needed it. I only knew that now.
It took me a while to clean it. To make it presentable. It's not that I've never handled a harp before. I had handled some, but it was nothing as fine as this. It was beautiful. I held it daintily, cradling it carefully as if it were a newborn. Once it was clean and I was sure it was in good shape, I did take a couple of notes, initially just to learn how it worked, but soon enough I was in love with the instrument, and the more I played, the more the music.
I found the viola, which had a door that was slightly ajar. I played a piece and the viola responded. It hadn't been played often, but I was sure it had. It was just fine. Maybe the strings were new, but it was fine. It was just fine.
I found the violin. The bow was damp, but once it was dried, it was just fine. The violin was too, though it may have been slightly cracked. I wasn't sure. It looked as if someone had glued it but it looked fine in any case.
When I found the flute, it was fine, but the tubing separating the holes had dust in it. I cleaned it out and it was fine. I didn't have the most extensive knowledge of woodwind instruments, but I knew enough to keep them in good condition. And it was! It was absolutely fine.
It took me a while to find the clarinet. I followed the wires inside and found it and it was fine.
I found the saxophone, but the sections were jammed together in the case and it took me a while to get it out. It was fine and once out it was fine. It was just fine. It was just fine.
I found the clarinet, but the reed was missing. It was fine, but it must have been a cheap one because it didn't respond well. I needed a good reed. I needed a good one.
I found the bass clarinet, but it was damaged. The keys and the finger holes were cracked. It was useless.
I found the alto saxophone and it was in good shape, but the reed was wrong. I had no idea where I could get a reed, and I didn't have the time and money to send to a specialist. I could try to get another one from somewhere else. I need to fix it soon. I need to fix it soon.
I found the double reed instrument and it was fine, but in the case, jammed between two reeds, there was a box. Strange, but I opened it and inside were a few more reeds. There was also a note:
You're probably wondering what this is. I found the schematics on the internet and used them to build the reeds. I usually don't build them, but I was bored. The reeds are there, if you need them, but I understand if you don't.
There was more, but I didn't care to read it. I wrapped the note in an old sheet of paper and set it on top of the glass case of the instrument. I had no idea where it was from, but it would come in handy, I knew it would.
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