Chapel Violins: Day 8

I have just finished a text conversation with my cousin Heather. It is two weeks today that she took Mum, Auntie Kathy and me on a lovely day trip to Southwold and Aldeborough. It dawned on me how much I have done in the past 20 days - enough to send my head spinning! I have only got five and a half days until I arrive at Heathrow to meet Mum, Auntie Kathy and Ian, before heading back home. I do have a special parcel to deliver back home.

 

Today has been another day of firsts:

1. Mitch has been left at home on his own overnight
2. A completed violin set up
3. Saying goodbye to a new friend, Eugene. It was his violin that I had the pleasure of playing for it's first time

 

On my way to Chapel Violins this morning, I rang home to find only Mitch there. It is he that told me about being left at home. Dave had taken Lawrie down to Port Fairy with the Avan. What a wonderful idea. I agree with Dave in his email received later today that we should take it out more often, now that the weather is looking up. It is a pity that we cannot just pop over here with it so that I can continue my studies.

 

When I arrived at the Chapel, I found John, Eugene and Jackie gathered around an instrument which Jackie had brought in. There was a lot of deep discussion about this instrument, which Jackie had bought to renovate. She had seen something in it which no one else had. Throughout the course of the discussion I could not help but think about instruments I have seen at a shop Ballarat. Someone had brought them in bad state of repair and the shop owner was going to find out more about them. I wish I had known what I know now. It was very interesting to listen to the collaboration and learn so much from the discussion.

Discussion

 

The instrument was in a bad state of repair and will be put to one side for now, to give Jackie time to learn the necessary skills. I took several photos for her and will send when I get back home.

 

That's the wonderful thing about just being in a workshop such as John's. There is so much more to learn than just physical skills.

 

 

My nickname for the day became "Leg less", which should have been "Footless", Jackie became "Fingerless", and Stephan "Head down, tail up". I can't remember what Eugene and John were dubbed.

Eugene asked me later on in the day if I think I might do making or restoration. There is a lot of argument going on in the.violin making world about this topic. Most makers think that you should learn to make an instrument before you can repair one. John is one of the few that believe that you don't need to. I tend to agree with him. I can learn how an instrument is made and put together, but to me, pulling one apart and putting it back together as well as being creative in thought is what is needed to repair instruments. I may well be tempted to make an instrument myself, but I have probably left this too late in my lifetime to make a living out of it. The skills and understandings which John has built up over the past 15 years is amazing, and leads me to think that it may be a viable thing for me to do, given that we are the same age. John says that repairing and setting up instruments is where the bread and butter lies.

 

My first task this morning was to learn how to cut a cello bridge to make it a professional fit.

Cello bridge with spreader

 

After that, I cleaned and polished my instrument, learnt about how to calculate the length of the tailpiece and fit it put on strings and chin rest. I did all this with loving care and growing anticipation. Once all was completed, All that was needed was to let the violin speak for the first time in who knows how many years. As is the way with new strings, it took some time to tune the instrument. We were not of happy with the sound in the G string, so much to my horror, John suggested that we move the sound post. Visions of spending hours trying to stand the damned thing upright again flashed before me. I must have given him such a horrified look, that he offered to do it.

 

I was hoping that the violin that I have been working on was going to impress me enough to buy it, take it home and pass on to one of my students, but at this stage it is not to be. I will try it again tomorrow but I don't think it will be a goer.

I have enjoyed learning and developing my skills and am sorry that I will not be able to have physical evidence of my work, but my photos and blog will help me to remember most of what I have learnt.

 

Now that I have completed my set up, I have two days to take in as much as I can. What to choose? Options are; go to flea market and try to find an old chisel to sharpen, ask John if he would take me to the International Antiques Market on Friday morning in hope that there will be a chisel and dentist mirror, or make all important templates from lovely wood off cuts which John has, write up a "shopping list" for necessary items so that I can complete work back home.

 

I think I know which options I prefer, but will write about that tomorrow.

 

Stephan has been working very hard at cutting his purfling, and has made terrific progress. Tomorrow will be his last day. I have enjoyed his company very much especially sharing our photographic interests.

"Head Down, Tail Up"

 

After school today, I caught the bus into town, hoping for another amazing sunset. That too was disappointing, but I did manage to watch the tail end of the lock being operated. A very interesting process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a healthy salad for my tea and finished off my duty free booze, which I have been whittling away at over the past week and a half.

Empties

 

 

 

 

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