Musical Instrument Crafts - Classical Guitar Making (Foundation)

This leading classical guitar making course introduces the craft of making traditional Spanish guitars. By the end of the course students will have built a minimum of two guitars in contrasting designs.

The tutors are all professional makers and the School has close links with players and other makers who visit to lead special workshops and discussions, as well as providing students with valuable professional feedback about their work.

This level 2 course introduces the craft of making classical guitars using the Spanish method. The course equips students with the knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to progress onto level 3. These skills include making; moulds and jigs, the neck, the soundboard and strutting, the rosette, the back and ribs, the fingerboard and bridge. All these components are then assembled and the finished instrument is French polished. Other units studied include: 'Materials and their Application', the 'History and Development of the Woodwind Instrument', 'Woodworking for Instrument Makers' and 'Health and Safety'. Students keep a written and visual record of their work that documents all the stages of design and construction.

Students will learn to manufacture specialist hand tools used in guitar making. This work leads to a level 1 NVQ qualification in Performing Engineering Operations.