For many, the purchase and playing of a beautiful musical instrument satisfies the deepest itch.  There are those, however, who cannot deny their desire to create their personal stamp by actually crafting their own instrument.  Wagner Music offers that opportunity.  It's fool-proof and fail-safe at Wagner's, because you will have the close attention and assistance of luthier Richard Wagner and his assistant wood-artist Annie McLeod.  Each person leaves a Wagner instrument workshop with a fine instrument tweaked and adjusted to a highly functioning  professional level. 

 For those who want the thrill of making their own instrument but have not had wood-working experience, our beginning level courses will gently introduce simple techniques such as sanding, choosing colors and creating a finish.  Each participant is encouraged to create their own design on headstock, sound holes, and any other decorative area of the instrument they are building.  You will be instructed on the use of simple tools such as coping saw, files, & drill.   

CLASS LEVEL REQUIREMENT

LEVEL ONE CLASSES REQUIRE:  no experience needed.  You will use hand tools in class, and have easily managed homework assignments such as sanding.   

LEVEL TWO CLASSES REQUIRE:  some power tool use, with a few available tools at home.

LEVEL THREE CLASSES REQUIRE:  specific skills and tools available in the home shop. 

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

June 3, 10, 17 & 24, 7:30--9:30 pm Dulcimer Making Class (solid walnut) (level one class)

July:  Banjo making (level one class)

August:  Mandolin making (level one)

September:  Make your own electric guitar or elec. bass (level one class)

 For those who have experience in carving, wood burning, scrimshaw or painting, decorative ideas are limitless.  Advanced courses for the wood worker include inlay classes, in which participants bring instruments of their own on which to design and create a fingerboard inlay.  Those interested in ornate sound holes may enjoy the scroll-saw class, and those wanting a three-dimensional artistic touch may enjoy the carving class.