Entrepreneurs in Music — and Don’t Forget about Mozart!

Yvonne: Do you have any engineers in your family? Did you take “shop” classes in middle or high school? I have trouble talking to a car mechanic, I’m not sure I’d have known how to talk to the folks at a machine shop…any advice?

Robert: Yes, I did have wood and metal shop in middle school but they were not that helpful in these projects. No one in my family had any training in this type of field, so I was on my own. I read books and spent time learning how to draw diagrams and blue prints. It takes time but it is not that hard if you really want to do it. Most shops will help you if you have an idea. There are also companies that will help you with blue prints and dimensional drawings of your new product. They cost a little more but it could be worth it.

I’ve been making the Reed Machine since 1992, and sell several hundred each year.

About the author

Robert DiLutis
Robert DiLutis

Robert DiLutis has performed as Second and E-flat clarinetist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 1996. Prior to his position in New York, he performed as Assistant Principal and Eb clarinetist with the San Antonio Symphony. He is best known however as the inventor of the Reed Machine, a professional line of reed making products for the clarinet and saxophone.

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