Official Luthiers Forum!

I've been building for many years. During the past 3 or 4 years, I began offering 1 on 1, fourteen day acoustic building classes at my home. I was very hesitant at first because luthiers I've spoken with seemed to be pretty unanimous in their contempt for having the student in their shop.

Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone, but the hand full of guys I spoke with just shuddered at the idea of teaching.

Long story short, I have done it a few times and have had really good experiences with it. My problem is I live in a very small town (400) that is a good hour drive from populated areas. I have found that interest in building is fairly recession-proof (unlike guitars themselves) and I've been thinking of ways to derive more income out of the teaching end of things.

I have noted that there are some universities and colleges out there that offer guitar building courses put on by local luthiers. Does anyone have experience with this sort of arrangement? Though I'm in the country, I live within one hour of THREE state 4 year schools and a number of CCs and private schools.

Thanks in advance in helping me know what to expect in compensation, time, how to approach schools, etc.

Robbie O'Brien is of course the grand master of teaching building classes in a community college setting, so hopefully he will reply to you directly here.

I think whether a builder enjoyed teaching or not is probably just a personality trait - some people like working in that mode and some do not, in any profession.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I had 3 apprentices over the years. They do slow you down for a few months, because you have to show them how you want things done. However, they were all fast learners and were a fun and financially successful addition to the shop.

As for honest-to-god students learning a curriculum... I can't comment. I think teaching made me a better person, and a better craftsman.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Some people are born teachers.
Others aren't.
If you are a born teacher,
go for it.
I realized this when I saw some really good musicians made really bad teachers.
So, I'm sure it's the same in luthierdom.
I think it has to do with patience,
and liking to help others learn.
Also, a lesson plan is good.

I think the college that Robbie Obrien teaches in is located conveniently in the middle of Denver and Boulder. That is a pretty sweet demographic. I did look into it in my small town, the deal was that you need minimum of 8 students, and there was no money for tools. If you are going to approach a school seriously, then you will need an outline of your curriculum. If you had a list of students ready to sign up, that would help. I would not expect more then $40 an hour for class time and it is unlikely to get anything for your prep time.

If you are OK with students in your shop, then that sounds like you are doing what you like. You may consider how to make that work for you financially.

Just finished a class with Charles Fox, he's been teaching for 35 years, and you can tell he enjoys it. It was not a build class, but in his small shop he has 4 build students at a time. I would love to see how he pulls that off.

Keep us posted as you progress with this idea.
Rob

_________________
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It depends on the school and the people in charge, but in general, the CCs would probably be more receptive than the universities. CCs tend to do more hands-on work and are structured better to offer a lutherie specialty. Googling "guitar making site:edu" shows a few programs.

In a 4-year U, an Art or Engineering Technology Dept might be able to setup an elective course on lutherie, and would probably have woodshops. Those depts would probably require a masters degree for the instructor. I only know of two guitar building programs at 4-year U's... Mark French has a popular summer workshop at Purdue: http://metalsound.tech.purdue.edu/ I teach a simplified acoustic project as part of a woodshop/metalshop course at U. San Diego.

A non-credit workshop/class would probably be easier to get off the ground than a regular for-credit semester class. Some U's offer non-credit enrichment classes (e.g., ceramics, dance) offered through student affairs or the student union. A challenge with that route is getting access to a woodshop.

It would help receptivity if the workshop/class could be connected to some wider issue... for example, if the local economy is heavy into forestry or woodworking.

As you probably know, safety and associated legal issues need to be thought through very carefully. If open to woodshop beginners, it is challenging to teach a class of ~12 students both how to operate tools/machines safely and produce working instruments. If open only to experienced woodworkers, a plan is needed to vet their actual skills, especially safety-related ones, and make them do it the right way when they think their way is good enough. In some ways assuming no experience is easier as you can control what they learn and limit use of power tools.

A faculty or staff person at the school who is also into guitars might be a good source of local advice. Making friends with whoever is in charge of the woodshop would be another good starting point, as they would need to be on-board early and are understandably territorial.

Pay varies widely by type of school, region, and degree of instructor, but in general it isn't a lot. Googling "adjunct pay per course" gives some hits for credit courses.

Good luck!
David

_________________
David Malicky

Don't know about the US system.
Here in B.C. you write up a program,
present it to the local community college.
They fly it up the flag pole,
If there is enough registration,
you got a go.

Me use to teach in me shops decades ago.
Pain in the ask me no questions.
Love teaching but will only take on
or mentor the odd one if they can show that
they got what it takes, and you can figure that out
in a few hrs in the shop. If they don't, they just be
another pain in the ask me no questions.

Oh well
but me love to teach...
is why me post all these build threads....
you know....
to spread the art of loofierizem according to Padma

Is true. Me no lead you down the garden path.


blessings
Padam

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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