Ref: S5D42156
This course is intended as a supplementary course to the nine-day Musical Instrument Making course. It aims to offer the opportunity for you to:
Teaching is generally on a one-to-one basis, catering for your individual needs and dictated by ability, previous experience and knowledge. There will be group demonstrations where appropriate.
As the course takes place in the main workshop, adjacent to the other courses in this series, you will also gain knowledge by interaction with fellow students and other tutors.
Those starting certain instruments have information provided by the tutors.
Most instruments require attendance on several courses to complete; this may depend on your skill base and opportunity to continue work at home, so we recommend you discuss this with your tutor prior to the course when they contact you.
Health and safety is discussed as an integral part of the course.
Work can include the following aspects:
This preparatory course will enable you to make and prepare all the necessary moulds, jigs and templates for the instrument of your choice, following discussion with the tutor.
It also gives you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the technical drawings and plans of your instrument, in preparation for the nine-day course. If time, you may prepare the timber for the instrument.
The tutor will advise where to obtain materials. Technical drawings and fittings may be supplied by the tutor, if requested. The tutor will telephone or email you directly to discuss specific needs, prior to the course.
The course will focus on general discussion and demonstrations of varnishing instruments and final polishing. Fitting bridges, pegs and nuts, setting up the action of the strings and setting the sound-post will also be covered.
You should note that certain aspects of finishing, polishing and varnishing can only be covered in theory, since the facilities used at this time are not suitable for varnishing instruments.
Please note: humidity levels in the workshop are variable to dry; whilst the College has addressed this, some factors are beyond our control, so instruments are brought at your own risk.
A comprehensive range of materials and consumables is included within the course fee, allowing students to focus on developing their skills rather than sourcing specialist supplies. This includes abrasives, glues, finishing materials, tracing and transfer papers, blades, MDF, and other workshop essentials.
A selection of shared tools, jigs, sharpening equipment, and specialist workshop machinery will also be available throughout the course.
The instrument you wish to complete Any hand tools you may have or think you may need (marked with your name) Appropriate workshop clothes and stout covered footwear (not sandals)
As soon as you receive confirmation of your place, please indicate which instrument you wish to work on by emailing: [email protected]
If you are new to the course, please give details of your past experience in instrument making and woodworking.
We will pass this information to the tutor, who will contact you to discuss this and the materials required.
As the tutor lives in Germany, you are required to purchase your own materials following discussion with her. Alternatively, if you are bringing a part-made instrument, please bring the materials and information relating to this or inform the tutor what you need.
Tools: Some woodworking tools are provided by the College, including a variety of planes, chisels, drills, etc. However, numbers are limited, so you should ideally bring your own, if you have them, including:
If you have queries on which tools you need, please ask the tutor).
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
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.
