So. CA Workshop: Kudos to Jim B. and Michael D.! Options

[Andres Sender]

I thought that by the time I'd spent a few hours recovering someone would already have started a thread on this, but looks like I get to be first!

The two workshops taught by Michael Darnton and put together by Jim Brown were fabulous. It will take me a long time to digest the things I learned. My notebook has a weight of new information in it which compares easily to a few years of online gem-collecting in the forums, and of course has a lot in it which would never end up online. My eye has gotten a big boost in the right direction. My tools are all working better than they were when I arrived, I got to meet a great bunch of people, and I have beheld, held, and 'played' (if you can call it that) an example of the holy grail in the form of a Strad!

The workshop location was lovely, the food was great, the organization remarkable. Jim Brown did a great job of putting things together and keeping things running smoothly. It's a huge job and he stayed on it the whole time. I hope he gets some rest now.

Michael's a great teacher, very responsive to questions and although I don't know if it's a conscious thing, very good at giving the right information for the student's context--what they need to think about next rather than 40 million things they aren't ready for yet. There was no limit on what you could learn though--all you had to do was ask, or keep up with the talks that were happening regularly on all sorts of topics.

That's all I can think of now, I'm still drifting in a fog of sleep-deprivation and information overload.

[ctviolin]

Cool.

I'm sorry I missed it.
I love Southern California, having lived there most of my life.

(was there any off hours beer drinking?)

[M_A_T_T]

Were there any other Maestronet'ers in attendance? It sounds like it was awesome and something definately worth taking. I'm glad you had a great time.

[Andres Sender]

Matt--There were a few lurkers and a few who have posted to one extent or another, I'll let them speak up if they like.

CT--oh my heavens yes. We often found ourselves at a place called 'Heroes', which has something like 42 gazillion beers on tap and who knows how many beyond that.

[COB3]

Sorry I missed seeing this-- I looked carefully before beginning a thread, but somehow missed it.

Anyway--I agree with all Andres has said...and wasn't trying to start a "rival" thread.

We had ridiculous moments (ever hear eight adults spontaneously joining in singing the theme song from "Green Acres"?), and LOTS of intense learning. Everyone held up well under the stress. My hat is especially off to Jim, who was sick when the workshop began, but never faltered in keeping the machine oiled and running... he was never late, never crabby, and worked unceasingly.

"Heroes" also serves sandwiches and other meals, which are pretty much a "tag-team" event...all the serving sizes are immense, as well as delicious. (I've never been able to stomach beer, so I will leave that analysis to others.)

[Andres Sender]

Oh, I thought I'd posted a link to Chet's thread here too, just to 'unify' the threads. Didn't mean for it to seem so one-sided.

http://www.maestronet.com/foru...d=313807&enterthread=y

[John Ladd]

Let me add my endorsment of the So Ca Violin Makers Workshop. I am a newcomer to making violins (3 so far) and I learned a lot.

Michael is very knowledgable and a natural teacher. He shows waht to do and the reasoning behind what to do.

Jim Brown was a gracious host. The Pamona College setting is beautiful. My fellow attendies were an enthusiastic and enjoyable group.

Jim plans another workshcp next year. For anyone still learning about violin makin I would highly recomend attending.

Thank you Michael. Thank you Jim and Debbie Brown

[Jim_B]

Here's the week one group with some work product



Jim

[COB3]

That is Andres' scroll-gouge he is holding up. :-)

Thanks for the photo, Jim.

[David Tseng]

> That is Andres' scroll-gouge he is holding up. :-)
It looks like a paint roller to me. Why don't some one indicate the names of those in the photo. I can only recognize the first one on the right.

[lastchair]

Oh, you're all so lucky and look so happy.

[Andres Sender]

David--darn, now my secret is out! The metal paint roller is hardened to 65 Rc and never has to be sharpened! :-D (I think the rule of thumb is for people to 'out' themselves if they wish.)

Chet's the one who works twice as fast as anyone else. ;-)

[COB3]

The little lady on the far left is Miss Lydia-- youngest living luthier-- the big guy above her is our esteemed host (and Lydia's Daddy) Jim Brown. The guy on the far right is Michael Darnton, as you may have surmised--the rest can name themselves if they choose. Some are not maestronetters.

Don't kid yourself about that scroll gouge--not everyone has a little gem like that-- I borrowed it to cut the chamfer on my scroll. Andres can vouch for me....

That mass of purple behind us and across the street is one of the hundreds os Jacaranda trees blossoming during our stay.

If you can manage it at all, and are interested in serious training-- not hobby-level-- then try to get in on the workshop next year. I believe they intend to run three weeks next year, so as to cover set-up skills.

[vlngeek]

I was one of the attendees of this workshop and echo the kudos to
Jim Brown and Michael Darnton.  What an amazing two weeks of
very intensive work!!!  Lots of spirited discussions about
various techniques and theories regarding all aspects of violin
making.



Being one of the least experienced participants (having never
completed a violin) I was anxious about being able to keep up w/
the rest of the class.  In most areas I didn't keep up but I
gained SO MUCH experience by just being able to focus on LOTS of
practice in the 10 - 12 hours daily in the workshop.  No kids,
dogs, partners, appointments to keep, etc., to worry about.
That's the greatest thing about this kind of workshop:
undivided attention to the craft.



My confidence and skill level at handling all sorts of tools shot
up dramatically during those two weeks.  I know now the
procedure for sharpening tools Michael's way - it really works so
efficiently.  



My biggest complaint was that the food was too good!



I'm looking forward to next year's workshop!



vlngeek aka Nancy Daby

[Jeffrey Holmes]

Looks like you all had a enjoyable, productive workshop in a very nice setting!

Is that Sam Compton in the back on the right side of the photo (three in from the right not counting Michael)?

[ctviolin]

Jeffrey, I believe you are correct!

If I'm not mistaken, that's him there looking quite like a chef with his apron on.
If I would have known he would be there, I would have notified the local authorities.

For those of you who don't know Sam, he is also a top drawer instructor, with an encyclopedic mind. I first met him at a VMAAI Beginners Bench - where the level of instruction was anything but beginning.

[COB3]

Sam had a pretty good time, too-- you gotta have him tell you about it all.

He gave a presentation on Saturday the 17th that was well worth hearing.

[Hank Taylor]

Sam is also a pretty good fiddle player. We jammed some Old Time tunes one night. I'm not in the photo, as I came the for the second week. I had the pleasure of being at the Winter Workshop that Michael did last year, so only came for the scroll and neck workshop (which included much more than just that). Living in backwoods violin making country, North Florida, I don't have much chance to get together with other makers or to see many good violins. These workshops have been invaluable to me, and if I get a chance to participate in next year's set-up workshop I will only half jokingly say I got a four year degree in three weeks. I must say that I had already made several violins before the workshops so was not a beginner. One of the good aspects of the workshop was, beside the group lessons, was the individual study where the student could work at their own level of proficiency. Another bonus was Michael's willingness to discuss one on one any topic in which the student was interested. He answered a long list of questions for me. Jim and Michael are to be congratulated on an excellent job.

[wannamakeafiddle]

Now that I'm recovered from the workshop, I'll add my thoughts. The facilities were great (bring a mattress pad and a fan), the food was awesome, the pace was hot. 12 to 14 hour days were the norm, and Michael stayed those hours to teach and assist. Jim was a super host who came up with anything anyone needed, Michael an incomparable teacher. I am a beginner in putting tools to wood to make a violin, and I learned not just the nuts and bolts, but the aesthetics of fine violins. I did a lot on instructing in my previous occupation, so I can attest to Michael's skill in presenting information along with everything relevant and useful to the topic at hand. Beginners such as myself left with a foundation of knowledge and hands-on training that will bypass years of fumbling. The experienced builders found new knowledge and refinement. Everyone worked at their own pace and Michael kept track of all of us. Although I came away with my violin half finished, I learned enough to finish it to the same high standards Michael taught. Everyone there was great company. I'm looking forward to being there next year.

[Jim_B]

The Jacaranda's bloom for 3 weeks or so and they opened up beautifully for the group while the workshop was going on.



Our leader:



More to come.

Jim