Andy Butterworth

Andy has been attending the West Dean Musical Instrument Making Course for over 35 years, firstly as a student and then as a tutor. His work as a restorer and maker in the horological and musical genres gives particular insight into technical aspects, especially for keyboard instruments and hurdy-gurdies, which have some "engineering" content.

What inspires your own work?
Originally inspired by discovering 'early music', I learnt to play the first instrument I made at West Dean (a mandolin) and now fulfil a love of European traditional music by playing in a French dance band.

Describe you approach to teaching:
Teaching methods are generally on a one to one basis, thus catering for each student's individual needs based on ability, experience and knowledge. Group demonstrations are given for techniques common to different instruments, and there is much to be learned by interaction with other course members and tutors making other categories of instruments.