Hour: mornings 11AM–2PM,
evenings 6PM–9PM
In this year’s course of instrument making, theoretical and practical sides will coexist. Among other things, two caps will be constructed and attached to two ready bodies. During this process the various factors we should take into consideration while planning the desired sound result will be discussed thoroughly.
*
Introduction
* The
tree as a living organism (summarily)
* The structure of wood (cellular –
macrocellular description)
* Listing of woods – Description of their
properties
* Relation
moisture/wood
*
Instruments of the lute family
* String instruments as sound producing
mechanisms
*
Understanding of the function of their parts
* Defining the adequacy of material for every
part of an instrument [emphasis on the body, cap, beams,
resonator]
* Helmholtz
resonator
* Description
of mechanical – static balance
* Sound predilection of various types of wood
[practical reference through combining different kinds of wood in
order to approach the desirable sound
result]
* Display and
evaluation of appropriate measuring and analyzing frequencies
software
* Wood
audibility agents and their practical application (on two
bodies)
* Constructing
caps in different ways of organizing the
beams
* Process of
attaching the cap to the body (on two
bodies)
* Measuring and
evaluating of the frequential findings
* Defining scales
* Basic designing principles [summarily
description of older and newer designs]
* Natural varnishes [their role and importance,
preparing impregnations, waterproofing and varnish mixture recipes
application]
* Discussion
on instrument making, its methods and types
For a smoother accomplishment of this year’s course, it is appropriate for all participants to have at least some basic knowledge/experience on the subject in order to conduct a more functional course, esp. in its most specialized chapters.
Christos Spourdalakis was born in Piraeus and started making instruments once he had graduated from secondary school, and he has been doing so for over forty years now. He was also a musician, but after thirteen years he decided to call it quits in order to focus entirely on the trade of musical instrument making. He has published many technical papers.