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Courses

No form of art can subsist without the firm foundation of a broad layer of dedicated and knowledgeable amateurs. I have the strong feeling that this goes for violinmaking as well. I gave my first course, a series of three one-day talks and demonstrations seven years ago, and I enjoyed it. So did the participants, I guess, for they expressed their wish for a more practical course, with workbenches, and chipped wood flying around. Why, next year's Summer Weeks will be the eighth since then.
Since we moved to Makkum I have a quite spacious workshop at my disposal. I now teach regularly a few days a week, plus two weekends a month. That is actually a lot of teaching, so much so that I saw emerging the outlines of a real school. The First Dutch School of Violin Making is, of course, not yet officially recognized as such, but is definitely the first of its kind in The Netherlands. And having given it a name has decidedly brought extra focus to my plans and projects.

2012 Violin making winter courses:

-   25^th of Feb to and incl. 2^nd of March

The Winter Course started life a few years ago as an extended weekend. It is on a less grand scale than the Summer Courses, with a max. of 6 participants, and without assistant. Also you don't have to sign up for the whole week. If you want to come just for three of four days, it is ok. The cost of tuition is ?45,- a day. Depending on meals and sleeping (four participants can sleep at our home), there are some extra costs. The deadline for application is the 15th of January.

2012 Violin making summer courses:

-   12^th to and incl. 17^th of august

-   19^th to and incl. 24^th of august

-   deadline for application is the  15^th of july

Might come in handy: my German is, if not impeccable, quite fluent, my French is there, but will need some awakening as it is not subject to daily routine.

Experience has led me to the conviction that a good result depends first of all on the right preparations (drawings, mould and templates) and a strictly logical working order. It's important, of course, to use the right technique on the right moment, and to optimalize posture and lighting. Ok, you cannot do without a few basic abilities, like sawing, planing and chiseling for instance. The one other main contribution to the quality of your work is routine. Talent makes the difference between good and excellent, not between good and bad.

Advanced participants work on their own project at their own level, and are expected to bring their own tools, because I don't have tools for so many people. A closer look by me at your tools might also give a hint at hidden problems. With help of the participation form and other means of communication we figure out what I can do in advance, e.g. provide wood, or tools, or other materials. Apart from violins, viola's, cello's and even double basses are welcome.

For beginners we figured out a busy week that will learn you wether or not you fancy violin making as a hobby. Investments will be minimal, as tools and a mold can be hired. Some topics pop up more regularly than others. Over the years we are developing a collection of capita selecta, consisting of prepared materials and methods that enable one to practice and gain insight and routine, without the fear of marring one's own violin in statu nascendi.

One of the evenings will be dedicated to an introduction to sound production, and how to influence that, playing characteristics etc. The violin is after all a tool in the hands of a musician. A professional violinist will be at hand to hold theory to the light of practical experience.

At noon a warm and nourishing dinner will be served, and I at least will have a small break after that. To the hardy, the workshop will be available in the evening.

Basics:

-   tuition: Dirk Jacob Hamoen, Pieter Overduin

-   level: beginner to advanced

-   max. nr. of participants per week: 10

-   address: Krommesloot 11, 8754 GD Makkum (Fr), The Netherlands

-   phone; 0031 515 859055 / 0031 6 41210590

-   e-mail: dj@hamoen-violins.nl

-   price: €355,--; incl. coffee, tea; excl. tools and materials

-   price: €425,--; incl. coffee, tea, lunch and 1 dinner (before evening program); excl. tools and materials

For those who want to stay overnight: We have a few beds available in our house (€ 10,- to € 15,- per night) or in a B&B round the corner (€ 25,- to € 30,- per night incl breakfast).