I have fixed more broken instruments this week than I did this past school year!  Most of the repairs involve bending and re-aligning keys and pads.  Today, I came across a clarinet missing the exposed parts of two pads.  I knew we could use paper and glue for a better-than-nothing fix.  I asked Thomas for his ideas and he decided to take my thick manuscript paper, fold it, soak it, dry it, cut-it-to-fit and "medical-tape" it into the keys.  So far?  It appears to be sealing and the horn is playable!  I was proud of Thomas and was thrilled this student, who wants to play clarinet SO badly, has something (for now) he can learn on. It was great!
Liz