A broken instrument
As I looked at the alto saxophone’s left pinky key-cluster, I could see something was amiss. (These keys are not supposed to be double-jointed.)
Unable to diagnose the problem through observation and tinkering, I looked to the internet for help. Luckily, I found great advice:
Don’t attempt to fix an instrument that doesn’t belong to you.
Don’t try to fix it if you have to ask, “How do I fix this?” Saxophones are complicated, and learning to fix them isn’t something you do on the internet.
And with that, I put the instrument in its case. It will go to the technician.
* * *
I look to the internet often for repair advice. I can often find generous experts offering step-by-step instructions.
But it’s also a good idea to know when you’re potentially in over your head.
Calling in an expert isn’t giving up. Sometimes, it’s exactly the right move.