Certificate in Violin Making
Aim
The Certificate in Violin Making provides you with the skill and knowledge to craft your finest violin.
On a practical level there are demonstrations of each step in the process of making a violin from taking measurements
of a violin you would like to copy, through to setting-up.
To support these practical skills, there are lectures and discussions to highlight the theoretical or historical reasoning behind
violin making techniques. Understanding the processes and standards will enable you to make informed decisions about
your violin making and in turn you will be able to achieve the appearance and sound you intend.
Content
At every stage, focus is placed on the fine detail and how to achieve the highest standards, whilst maintaining an
overview of how each element contributes to the instrument as a whole.
We encourage discussion and evaluation for each section of the making process and some of the key issues include;
Mould and Ribs
Creation of templates / inside vs outside moulds and importance of accurately matching templates /
timber used and grain direction for blocks / timber used and preparation techniques for ribs and linings /
techniques for bending and glueing ribs and linings
Plates
Centre joint techniques / accuracy of outline and corner shapes and relevance to purfling / purfling techniques /
arching and fluting considerations / edgework and overhang shapes and dimensions /
hollowing and thicknessing techniques and considerations
F-holes and Bass Bar
Positioning, size, shape and symmetry of f-holes / techniques for cutting f-holes /
purpose, positioning, dimensions, shape, and timber for the bass bar / techniques for fitting bass bars
Scroll
Timber choice and block preparation for scroll / process of carving the scroll and maintaining dimensions and symmetry /
dimensions of the pegbox and peghole positioning
Neck fitting
Methods to ensure accuracy for all dimensions / neck fitting before or after glueing on the back /
neck shaping and dimensions / importance of neck root shape / button shaping
Varnish preparation
Surface preparation for varnish / varnish methods
Set-up
Position, shape and influence on the sound and playability from the pegs, nut, fingerboard, bridge, soundpost,
strings, tailpiece, saddle, endpin and chinrest
Achievements
- Certificate in Violin Making
- A well crafted violin set-up "in the white"
- A portfolio of the work undertaken to include lecture and demonstration notes
and photographs of work in progress for future reference.
Schedule
The course is for 23 weeks tuition plus one weeks holiday and commences twice a year.
In 2010 the Certificate in Violin Making is scheduled for;
- Monday 11th January - Friday 25th June
- Monday 5th July - Friday 17th December
There are 30 contact teaching hours in a week - Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 5.30pm with an hour break.
Friday is designed to give students time to continue with practical work, review and record progress and
conduct personal research.
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