Update On My Violin

Cheryl asked why I haven't blogged lately. I can't type, my fingers are sore! Okay, not really, I've just been busy.

I wasn't happy with the templates I originally made for my violin, so I made a new set yesterday. They should make it much easier for finishing these babies.

Here's what I've done since my course, in between all my other stuff. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Granny's Gets Ready for School

Today I decided to put all my stuff together for my course next week. Monday starts week two of my Musical Instrument Construction course. Last year was the first week, and I've done some work on it during the course of the year.

When we finished last year, I had the sides partially completed but still on the mould. Since then I've finished the sides, and started working on the back. I decided to work on the back because it's maple and therefore hard wood. The top is soft wood, spruce, and I figured I could do less damage as I learned how to use a gouge if I started with the back. I'm guessing that the instructor will take a look at how I've been doing it and show me a better (the correct) way to use a gouge.

Here's what I've done so far. It doesn't look like the back has come that far since I last posted about it, but there's quite a lot of maple all over the work table, so I guess I've made some progress. Stay tuned. Next Friday, when the course is finished for another year, I'll have more pictures.

Another Fiddle Update

Okay ... it doesn't look like much has been done since last time I blogged, but there's hours of work gone into it since March 31st (my last update).


The thing I like about this picture is that some of the shimmery grain of the wood is starting to show. Not only is it the shape of the back of a fiddle, but I'm starting to see what the details of back will be like.


Just thinking about it my heart does that little flip thing. So exciting.

Cut away everything that doesn't look like a violin

A continuation of my September 25th post.



Time off between Christmas and New Year's has been fun. Although there has been plenty to do, my shoulder has healed enough that I can actually do work on my fiddle again. Rotator cuff injuries make doing all kinds of things nearly impossible.


You may recall when I finished the sides and proudly displayed them. Each step of the way, I've been really anxious, and by the time I put tool to wood, I've done it a hundred times in my head. Here again is the sides completed and sitting on the maple that will be her back.






Then I gathered up all my nerve and cut into that beautiful piece of bird's eye maple. I started taking little nibbles of wood and then eventually, got relaxed and finished her outline.






I have spent some time over the holidays with a chisel and a beech mallet, again taking little nibbles. And guess what I found?!?! There really is a violin inside that piece of wood. I can't tell you how excited I am, just watching it emerge. I'm already imagining what she will sound like when I play the first notes.