Musical instrument making
Ref: SMI10371
Suitable for all
£1140Increase your knowledge and extend your skills in making of musical instruments by traditional methods. The outcome of this course is guided by your individual projects and goals.
For beginners this course offers the opportunity to experience the sense of satisfaction of making a musical instrument from scratch. Instruction is given in the principles of making, assembling and setting up your chosen instrument – either a medieval bowed rebec or renaissance treble viol. The model you make is decided on with the tutor. The intention is that you will be able to complete one of these instruments over the nine-days, but depending on your level of ability this is not always possible. A more complex bowed instrument will certainly take more than one course to complete. Prior wood working experience though not necessary, is an advantage.
For those with previous instrument making experience, instruction is given in the principles of making, assembling and setting up a Viola da Gamba, or work on one already started with the tutor. If starting a new instrument, the model is decided on in agreement with the tutor – please note a Viola da Gamba will require attendance of three or four courses to complete.
Materials and techniques covered are as appropriate to individual requirements. You will work in wood (spruce, maple, ebony and fruit woods). General techniques covered during making the instruments are planing, filing, sawing, gluing, with more specialist techniques of bending, carving, and inlaying introduced when necessary.
Teaching is generally on a one-to-one basis catering for the student’s individual needs and dictated by previous experience, knowledge and ability. There are group demonstrations where appropriate. As the course takes place in a large workshop, adjacent to the other courses in this series, interaction with fellow students and other tutors also plays a valuable role in the learning process.
West Dean College has run musical instrument making courses for more than 40 years. This nine-day and supplementary five-day courses run in the Short Course Programme for amateur makers. It can provide an insight to those considering applying for full-time study on the College’s FdA Historic Craft Practices – Musical Instruments
TIMETABLE VARIATION: teaching ends at 12.30 on final day/workshop clear by 3.30pm
Arrival day
Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential to arrive by 6.45pm
6.45pm Welcome followed by dinner (included)
8.00-9.00pm First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
9.15-5.00pm Classes (lunch included)
From 6.30pm Dinner (included)
Evening working – Students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor’s permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
9.15am-12.30pm Classes (lunch included). Workshops must be cleared by 3.30pm.
Residential students to vacate rooms by10am.
Renate Fink trained at the London College of Furniture, later London Guildhall University as a maker of early fretted instruments. She worked for several violin shops in England and on the continent before setting up her own business. She has been teaching at West Dean since 1998. Renate is a member of the British Violinmaking Association.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.