If I have neglected to welcome any new young members, or even older folks testing their skills in Lutherie for the first time, I do so now …Welcome.
Well I thought I would post these two photos of Jakes two sisters who had also had a crack at instrument building, again some 5 years ago. Courtney with the Dulcimer was about 9 years old and Ashleigh was about 7. Both had done other types of woodwork projects in my workshop over the years, so were no strangers to the tools and machines they had to use.
I regret not having been able to make more time available to encourage them to continue building their skills in this area, as all the kids took to it like ducks to water. However I took into account that kids have to first experience and indulge in what kids do whilst growing up, toys, schooling, sport, music and their own family, so I let their interest in building take a natural course, they could ask at any time and I would fit them in. This has worked well over the years.
Ash’s afternoon project was as you can see a Biscuit Tin Banjo, it works fine and she did all the work herself with me of course hovering very close. One thing my students experience is the “dignity of riskâ€
