tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76997280282137308082024-03-12T23:19:23.730-06:00The Bluegrass ShackThe Bluegrass Shack is a music store in Southern Illinois dedicated to acoustic music. This blog describes the town, store activities, bluegrass music in general, instrument repair, and my own personal opinions about all things bluegrass. You can visit our website at <a href="http://www.thebluegrassshack.com">www.thebluegrassshack.com</a>.Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.comBlogger690125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-68701128752292364062024-01-26T17:12:00.000-06:002024-01-26T17:12:06.117-06:00Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp 2024<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am thrilled to be on the staff of Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps! I will be teaching for two weeks this June. (And celebrating my birthday during that time as well!) Every summer, this award winning and all-inclusive music Kamp is held at Maryville College in the foothills of the great Smoky Mountains. Make this year YOUR year to get out and pick! I will be teaching ultra beginners of all instruments and am so excited to get you playing with others!</span></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Old Time and Traditional Week is June 9-15, 2024, and Bluegrass Week is June 16-22, 2024.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Check it out at <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Flatpik.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3n6vtEheNoAMxTLXtADL7CGc_8tSIbXyx299Btdw0iwXfB7anYxEZ0oto&h=AT0dfGbCDSiInS6qF0yBRJmrjrzjwTbeATQcNChzxMQzq4xYOEApKWy11taRRzCtTDj5R_WAwYR3zm_iGq6GrhlmiLrVmTcY_9BcZMHvQnRI8EtRe31eFCWZGzhP3ey5Qh2fqJ9THMTBuaiDqQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3JQgPiQ4urPCCDkLRoi3qL_ZbyxrvmqIQsSStLiNj7UiPjOu1NSa7RLO9aGunYrfTqsUyxLgbc-Lrrs1WA922jcAS8ojWoVJ_eDMgJKg5kUXyDoK7Uv7SblGSKxU2G3UR9FuDhmhJ6uvdhEM1odvVOGTY" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">www.Flatpik.com</a></span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">The instruments taught during Old Time Week are Old Time Fiddle, Old Time Mandolin, Hammered Dulcimer, Old Time Banjo, Mountain Singing, Flatpicking, Rhythm Guitar, Celtic Guitar, Irish Fiddle, Fingerpicking and Mountain Dulcimer.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bluegrass Week: Flatpicking, Bluegrass Banjo, Mandolin, Songwriting, Swing Rhythm Guitar, Dobro™, Bluegrass Fiddle, Bass, Ukulele, Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar and Bluegrass Vocals.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so glad to be a part of Kamp this year, and I hope to see you and your friends at SKAK in June.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have any questions or concerns, you can send a direct email to steve@flatpik.com.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozO8Ot-HDM-hW0Q_iywdtTzlqFKGwPWL0061iMQm1Baua4rs0LxdRjQFgaEu1YtGUJpu5dgwomqgs3y7yY-brUZoMMSZSQEOXSItbANaG75PxSizFTW7Klw-pHJ8yQe1gv57wGWFMC3hmCKBzwuxBTlQ-OlqC4YoKpyU8BL03cm5V7qfG0gp2loJfginK/s320/kaufmankamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozO8Ot-HDM-hW0Q_iywdtTzlqFKGwPWL0061iMQm1Baua4rs0LxdRjQFgaEu1YtGUJpu5dgwomqgs3y7yY-brUZoMMSZSQEOXSItbANaG75PxSizFTW7Klw-pHJ8yQe1gv57wGWFMC3hmCKBzwuxBTlQ-OlqC4YoKpyU8BL03cm5V7qfG0gp2loJfginK/s1600/kaufmankamp.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-81095892811061689802024-01-26T16:53:00.001-06:002024-01-26T16:53:24.416-06:00Chris' 2024 Private Lesson Schedule<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following
dates:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">January 1,2<br />February 5, 6, 7, 8, 12<br />March 11, 12, 13, 14<br />April 15, 16, 17, 18<br />May 13, 14, 15, 16 <br />June 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20<br />July 22, 23, 24, 25<br />August 12, 13, 14, 15<br />September 2, 3, 4, 5<br />October 21, 22, 23, 24<br />November 25, 26, 27, 28<br />December 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31<br />January 2025: 1, 2</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is important that you understand your lesson time is
reserved for you. If you are unable to
make a lesson, please me know as soon as possible. <b>If you
miss a lesson, you will be expected to pay for that lesson</b> unless you are
sick or have a true emergency. If you
are missing a lesson because of a birthday party, date, prom, school event,
vacation, etc., you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson(s). This has
always been store policy, but it has not always been strictly enforced. If you have frequent emergencies or
illnesses, we can discuss what the best solution would be. <i>Sometimes</i>
I am able to schedule make-up lessons, in which case you would not have to pay
for the missed lesson.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-56340625500938584532023-01-16T13:25:00.006-06:002023-01-16T13:25:51.719-06:00Chris' 2023 Private Lesson Schedule<div>Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following dates:</div><div>January 30, 31 </div><div>February 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 </div><div>March 13, 14, 15, 16 </div><div>April 3, 4, 5, 6</div><div>May 1, 2, 3, 4</div><div>June 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22</div><div>July 24, 25, 26, 27</div><div>August 14, 15, 16, 17</div><div>September 4, 5, 6, 7</div><div>October 9, 10, 11, 12</div><div>November 20, 21, 22, 23</div><div>December 25, 26, 27, 28</div><div>January 2024: 1, 2 </div><div><br /></div><div>It is important that you understand your lesson time is reserved for you. If you are unable to make a lesson, please me know as soon as possible. If you miss a lesson, you will be expected to pay for that lesson unless you are sick or have a true emergency. If you are missing a lesson because of a birthday party, date, prom, school event, vacation, etc., you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson(s). This has always been store policy, but it has not always been strictly enforced. If you have frequent emergencies or illnesses, we can discuss what the best solution would be. Sometimes I am able to schedule make-up lessons, in which case you would not have to pay for the missed lesson.
</div>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-64297761596866457942022-05-28T13:06:00.003-06:002022-05-28T13:06:44.006-06:00Oh My Bow!<p> Have you ever opened your case to this?!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOtegE4xf1axeMwETN0447PjghOq4awKdz2TEieQhnoygpanrOLl0S_6_x0-nszY1mB3xLB_IWq6kwtgFEsRO0tFpugyfywnZ9sOEzpQ_jpJuUUuTb1nok60c4bI8FsliYx0339v-cgF9vnVsRBVwagTSFAQ1iD4O7BpIWCQ3Nj9_9zqna-ocBMJhEg/s1170/bow1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1170" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOtegE4xf1axeMwETN0447PjghOq4awKdz2TEieQhnoygpanrOLl0S_6_x0-nszY1mB3xLB_IWq6kwtgFEsRO0tFpugyfywnZ9sOEzpQ_jpJuUUuTb1nok60c4bI8FsliYx0339v-cgF9vnVsRBVwagTSFAQ1iD4O7BpIWCQ3Nj9_9zqna-ocBMJhEg/w640-h486/bow1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If so, let me introduce you to carpet beetles! These are tiny beetles that like horse hair from your bows, dark places, and other things. They will even eat holes in your sweaters! Think that your house is clean and won't get them? Think again! They can fly in or can be introduced through cut flowers that are brought into your house. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Carpet beetles are super common, and if you have a case that is closed for any length of time, especially if you are simply storing an instrument and bows, you will be very likely to encounter them. What I think is amazing about this is that it will look like someone took a pair of scissors and cut all the hair across in the same place! If you look closely, you may see the larvae or the larvae skin that has been shed in your case.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Here is what the larvae looks like. They are tiny!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcb4qemlqjBjZX9X4idjTjCxxz2kP7ghU-z4YwLBkD6Qk5GjrValyqe6olipXx2wVeVVhXZ96UsY0ZYJqSTZ919Ut3qaOCNbMPVENOJQ-96PmvgqLreE2iwFkBeK72PlRm0qUntg1okDQcKU6JYEMOU6HHAwVF2reRFTrQI4fc4yZlH0jM3dlFuoYJQ/s800/carpet_beetle_larvae.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcb4qemlqjBjZX9X4idjTjCxxz2kP7ghU-z4YwLBkD6Qk5GjrValyqe6olipXx2wVeVVhXZ96UsY0ZYJqSTZ919Ut3qaOCNbMPVENOJQ-96PmvgqLreE2iwFkBeK72PlRm0qUntg1okDQcKU6JYEMOU6HHAwVF2reRFTrQI4fc4yZlH0jM3dlFuoYJQ/w640-h440/carpet_beetle_larvae.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The beetles themselves are the size of the pin head or smaller. There are several different types, but the ones I see here in the St. Louis region look similar this. Remember, they are tiny, tiny! Not even close to being as big as a lady bug.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjAr_7EJLaqbzrq2-EbxAOMcTMQ4pB9jvMghS1SnhXnZDys7ido_8kxF8N15qgY0VDPMm_ZZERoYFYTl0w7uh8kj9Ts1zG51XDFgg19aNZWZ_o2YmcRz3XDu-WbQerJxbZeUlfn-Rt-TwanzsPZOqip1EiDR0uiztCJRHnxrpYPad6dnynT2-3PwOvA/s639/carpet-beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="639" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjAr_7EJLaqbzrq2-EbxAOMcTMQ4pB9jvMghS1SnhXnZDys7ido_8kxF8N15qgY0VDPMm_ZZERoYFYTl0w7uh8kj9Ts1zG51XDFgg19aNZWZ_o2YmcRz3XDu-WbQerJxbZeUlfn-Rt-TwanzsPZOqip1EiDR0uiztCJRHnxrpYPad6dnynT2-3PwOvA/w640-h628/carpet-beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>So how do you prevent them? Make sure that anything that they will like is sealed tightly. A zipper is not tight enough, nor is a normal case that is closed. You can store bows in air-tight plastic holders. You can also seal storage containers with tape. I use moth balls to repel them, but you need to be careful about children and materials that the mothballs may come into contact with. For prevention and treatment, there is a lot of great advice from The University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources page here: <a href="http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html">http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-49091288099275375952022-05-20T09:02:00.004-06:002022-05-20T09:05:08.729-06:00What is the Difference Between Old Time (Folk) Music and Bluegrass?Old time folk music and bluegrass music share many of the same tunes, but there is actually a big difference between the two types of music. I teach both styles here at The Bluegrass Shack, but many times, one style of music is better suited for an individual than another. So what's the difference? Why would you want to play one genre over another?<div><br /></div><div>Both types of music basically come from the same background. I've already said they share many of the same tunes. Two of the biggest differences are: 1) the complexity of the music; and 2) how it is played within a group.</div><div><br /></div><div>The easiest way to spot whether you are watching an old time folk jam or a bluegrass jam is to see how people are playing the music together. In an old time jam, everyone plays melody all at the same time. Many times, people all sing the melody together at the same time as well. There may be a little bit of difference in the actual instruments that play. For instance, you are more likely to see a dulcimer in a folk jam than you are in a bluegrass jam. A dulcimer just isn't typically a bluegrass instrument. And for old time music, you do not need to know how to play backup unless you are the guitar or bass player.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a bluegrass jam, everyone takes turns playing the melody, and when you aren't playing the melody, you are expected to play something different called backup. This requires you to know the chords to a song and to be able to keep rhythm with the chords while someone else plays the melody. Only one person sings the melody (lead) at a time, though others may join in on the chorus to sing harmony. If you are in a bluegrass jam and you play the melody along with someone else, you are likely to be seen as rude. You are, in essence, stealing someone else's turn to play lead. If you sing or play melody behind the singer while the singer is singing, you are also seen as being rude.</div><div><br /></div><div>Old time music is generally simpler in form than bluegrass. This doesn't mean that old time music can't be complex, or that bluegrass music is always more complicated. It is just a generalization. What the instruments play is also slightly different. Old time banjo is almost always a type of frailing or clawhammer more typical of Grandpa Jones, whereas bluegrass music generally utilizes a three-finger style more typical of Earl Scruggs. The fiddle in old time music doesn't shift positions as much (move the left hand from the scroll position up the fingerboard), and variations to tunes are usually less and simpler. A bluegrass fiddler will shift positions more often, even using shifted double stops (two notes played at the same time). These are just a few of the differences in two instruments, but there are more that I won't be going into right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how do you know what type of music you might want to pursue if you like songs like Soldier's Joy, I'll Fly Away, Arkansas Traveller and Will the Circle Be Unbroken? Folk music can be a great way to get a start on either genre. Why? Because you can play it with other people at the same time. It makes learning to play with and in front of others easier than bluegrass because everyone is doing it at the same time. You are not singled out to play the melody, and you don't have to know how to do backup. If you decide later you need more of a challenge or that you would like to have the opportunity to "strut your stuff," you can always shift more towards bluegrass. If only one type of music is prevalent in your area, go with it! You can always modify later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't wait and don't think it's too late to start! I have taught folks of all different ages and abilities, and it is WAY more about how much you want it than it is natural talent. I think you'll find both of these styles of music a great way to meet people, and great way to learn new skills, and a TON of fun!</div>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-18527041212021891262022-03-08T08:41:00.002-06:002022-03-08T08:41:44.215-06:00Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am thrilled to be on the staff of Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps! I will be teaching for two weeks this June. (And celebrating my birthday during that time as well!) Every summer, this award winning and all-inclusive music Kamp is held at Maryville College in the foothills of the great Smoky Mountains. Make this year YOUR year to get out and pick! I will be teaching ultra beginners of all instruments and am so excited to get you playing with others!</span></span></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Old Time and Traditional Week is June 12-18 Bluegrass Week is June 19-25</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Check it out at <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Flatpik.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3n6vtEheNoAMxTLXtADL7CGc_8tSIbXyx299Btdw0iwXfB7anYxEZ0oto&h=AT0dfGbCDSiInS6qF0yBRJmrjrzjwTbeATQcNChzxMQzq4xYOEApKWy11taRRzCtTDj5R_WAwYR3zm_iGq6GrhlmiLrVmTcY_9BcZMHvQnRI8EtRe31eFCWZGzhP3ey5Qh2fqJ9THMTBuaiDqQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3JQgPiQ4urPCCDkLRoi3qL_ZbyxrvmqIQsSStLiNj7UiPjOu1NSa7RLO9aGunYrfTqsUyxLgbc-Lrrs1WA922jcAS8ojWoVJ_eDMgJKg5kUXyDoK7Uv7SblGSKxU2G3UR9FuDhmhJ6uvdhEM1odvVOGTY" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">www.Flatpik.com</a></span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">The instruments taught during Old Time Week are Old Time Fiddle, Old Time Mandolin, Hammered Dulcimer, Old Time Banjo, Mountain Singing, Flatpicking, Rhythm Guitar, Celtic Guitar, Irish Fiddle, Fingerpicking and Mountain Dulcimer.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bluegrass Week: Flatpicking, Bluegrass Banjo, Mandolin, Songwriting, Swing Rhythm Guitar, Dobro™, Bluegrass Fiddle, Bass, Ukulele, Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar and Bluegrass Vocals.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so glad to be a part of Kamp this year, and I hope to see you and your friends at SKAK in June.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have any questions or concerns, you can send a direct email to steve@flatpik.com.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp28B517uxiECpN32AeByGQQlX-CElSfZmagVB-Bpwrq9ZmWsZQtjWSdCL3X_MvzlDUP6F3TaToamEh3b-oY8kuN598fwl4WxiHwpqFPxAGQ_t32RtVz-vbuTJwPlfkIndf2fr83c310NFE4M1BApFOLqOvEsfaW-UCBValskwAF_z-IXgruSZtXueKw=s577" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp28B517uxiECpN32AeByGQQlX-CElSfZmagVB-Bpwrq9ZmWsZQtjWSdCL3X_MvzlDUP6F3TaToamEh3b-oY8kuN598fwl4WxiHwpqFPxAGQ_t32RtVz-vbuTJwPlfkIndf2fr83c310NFE4M1BApFOLqOvEsfaW-UCBValskwAF_z-IXgruSZtXueKw=s320" width="292" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-60141421229522473282022-01-24T17:43:00.002-06:002022-01-24T17:43:51.633-06:00Chris' 2022 Private Lesson Schedule<p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following
dates in 2022:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>February 3, 14, 15, 16, 17</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">March 21, 22, 23, 24<span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">April 25, 26, 27, 28<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May 23, 24, 25, 26<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">June 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">July 18, 19, 20, 21<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">August 1, 2, 3, 4</p><p class="MsoNormal">September 5, 6, 7, 8</p><p class="MsoNormal">October 10, 11, 12, 13</p><p class="MsoNormal">November 21, 22, 23, 24</p><p class="MsoNormal">December 22, 26, 27, 28, 29</p><p class="MsoNormal">January 2023: 2, 3</p>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-26149701723330523972021-12-31T10:55:00.001-06:002021-12-31T10:55:48.670-06:00Renting Instruments: Cost Effective?<p>Have you ever considered renting to own a musical instrument? Worried your kids won't stick with it and you'll be stuck with an expensive instrument? Think that it's cheaper to rent? You might be surprised at the answer! Since the most commonly rented instruments are from the violin family or band instruments, this short blog is directed towards those two categories of instruments.</p><p>As a former music teacher (I taught band and choir in the private school sector for almost 10 years), most of my students never rented a musical instrument for band. I spent the summers helping parents look for instruments and then fixing them up. Many of my students would not have been in band otherwise. The cost of the private school, plus the cost of a musical instrument was just too much, especially for larger families. Most instruments cost my students $50-$100, and these were the name brands all band directors look for: Bundy, Selmer, Vito, Conn, Blessing, Yamaha, etc.</p><p>When I opened The Bluegrass Shack, I was determined to never rent musical instruments. It simply is not a cost effective way to own a student level musical instrument. For those that are local and don't need shipping, we have violin outfits starting out at $125 that include the instrument, case & bow -- and a professional setup! For a violin or viola, that setup will cost you at least $100 at most violin shops, and that is what makes the difference between something that is easy to play, and something that is hard or impossible to play. Not to mention an improperly setup stringed instrument will many times not play in tune even if it is in tune. The Bluegrass Shack also has a 100% trade in policy for all violins/fiddles. That allows you to upgrade at any point without losing any of your investment.</p><p>We also offer a small selection of used and new band instruments starting at around $100. We don't have the trade-in policy on these instruments, but for a fraction of the cost of renting to own, you can own your instrument. </p><p>If your child decides not to play anymore, you won't be out near as much as you would be if you were renting, plus you can sell the instrument and recoup all or most of what you paid for it! Don't want the hassle of selling? Give it away! Donate it to the school or to another child!</p>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-27991458290184992262021-10-17T15:49:00.004-06:002021-10-17T15:52:26.279-06:00DIY Ukulele Kit!<p> Just in time for Christmas or really for any time you want to try your hand at making a musical instrument! This do-it-yourself soprano ukulele kit is perfect for first timers, and it is only $35! I have a limited number of these left for purchase, but you can pick yours up now until I run out! </p><p>Everything you need to make your own ukulele is included, though there are a few additions you might want to consider. What's included? All the parts, including strings and picks, and even some gloves, sandpaper block, glue, screwdriver, tuning machines, and instructions. What additions do I suggest? First off, I have included my own set of revised/additional instructions to go along with the ones that are included because we all know how poorly these things are written by the company. I also suggest the yellow wood glue (it comes with white), stain instead of the colored paints, some additional fine sandpaper, and some heavy duty rubber bands and/or small clamps. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2qu9EvVaYZKFJRx8j5daC03eiDZp_nwEi6hRz7wyMaZfpjZbC6rrR-yRCfehUtIZ4z3THotoB6lb7ngMJREwChRuYquJ2hVVtEAjOczEIJ5xLjsEldeSrrB4uVi-4XsFP-CzGrPwOm_g/s1170/ukekit1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1170" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2qu9EvVaYZKFJRx8j5daC03eiDZp_nwEi6hRz7wyMaZfpjZbC6rrR-yRCfehUtIZ4z3THotoB6lb7ngMJREwChRuYquJ2hVVtEAjOczEIJ5xLjsEldeSrrB4uVi-4XsFP-CzGrPwOm_g/s320/ukekit1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaRuzIrcreihjjTaMA0NpU2dRGG0Nu10dHW46luGth4gHxEvnAjowBPlWmUbYGVKfbvMUqJBhKWJN3owkW4kg1c8Mf4MTsqw8QF30Hr2AM32Tbse7KTHZ2ctwn5l9HxhLDZxU0AtL2xRQ/s1533/ukekit2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaRuzIrcreihjjTaMA0NpU2dRGG0Nu10dHW46luGth4gHxEvnAjowBPlWmUbYGVKfbvMUqJBhKWJN3owkW4kg1c8Mf4MTsqw8QF30Hr2AM32Tbse7KTHZ2ctwn5l9HxhLDZxU0AtL2xRQ/s320/ukekit2.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div><br /></div>How long does it take to build one of these? How difficult is it? Well, it's really not all that hard to put it together. A child will need some help and supervision, but a teenager may only need help with clamping and possibly following some of the directions. Most adults shouldn't have much of a problem putting this together. It does take a couple of days to complete, though, because you will have to let the glue dry and set, and you will have to let whatever finish you use (stain or paint) dry before finishing everything up. It also depends on how fancy you get. If you just stain it, that won't take you long at all!<div><br /></div><div>Here are some pictures of the one I made. I stained mine, then spent at least a week painting designs on the front and back. I used acrylic paints I bought from Walmart. I used a clear lacquer spray to protect it all when I was done with painting. I upgraded the tuners because I like the look of closed gear tuners and black buttons over the open gear tuners with white buttons that are included with the kit. The included tuners work just fine -- it was a cosmetic thing to me. I also modified the bridge and saddle after I discovered that the ukulele didn't intonate properly. That is fixed with the additional instructions I wrote that are included with every kit. You won't have to modify yours if you follow those directions. Intonation won't be perfect on these, but it is pretty good if you follow the directions.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y5gVszN4vx20RnaRzTAdDUVx4ZbtoP15_EE_cvCo6yhigfFeayiYOxtyFEt-pCxDMOMZRryq1QJ949sp9Er51KB1Fv7y-1K8ZLmJBYcLH6AErGo70L60A1NLfOkqxUm5Em55AsAgJumW/s2048/uke1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="913" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y5gVszN4vx20RnaRzTAdDUVx4ZbtoP15_EE_cvCo6yhigfFeayiYOxtyFEt-pCxDMOMZRryq1QJ949sp9Er51KB1Fv7y-1K8ZLmJBYcLH6AErGo70L60A1NLfOkqxUm5Em55AsAgJumW/w179-h400/uke1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTIWXbPcFWB_dvkY7AhGVGownGw6EzNjmb8-cV1kUQ5lvgEqP47jxgrVzzD47PKQzrPjjZ5csm3Ie_oVVuZplIY0Pm9kTZBcUApjy3oKIMmjIpGBBFLwduFRMovHo9fxHfwZgmiAhh-zA/s2048/uke2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="733" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTIWXbPcFWB_dvkY7AhGVGownGw6EzNjmb8-cV1kUQ5lvgEqP47jxgrVzzD47PKQzrPjjZ5csm3Ie_oVVuZplIY0Pm9kTZBcUApjy3oKIMmjIpGBBFLwduFRMovHo9fxHfwZgmiAhh-zA/w144-h400/uke2.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_vOsJ78d-JJGZLscHhknzb-TnFZ6_28yqgYqKKQ4-EH7_Lnppm4qi3kv-sxNVqwAkCTK2N2m6JCVX5NzOW7NBxut9bMzDvPxrb_aDL_n2OiplbU_mJ2fHEBx7pfEMl4JfhfWwdnO65de/s2048/uke3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="978" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_vOsJ78d-JJGZLscHhknzb-TnFZ6_28yqgYqKKQ4-EH7_Lnppm4qi3kv-sxNVqwAkCTK2N2m6JCVX5NzOW7NBxut9bMzDvPxrb_aDL_n2OiplbU_mJ2fHEBx7pfEMl4JfhfWwdnO65de/w191-h400/uke3.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><p>If you need it shipped, there will be a shipping charge added to your purchase. And one other note, these come in a pink unicorn box. Sorry about that! They aren't just for females, but I doubt boys will be as excited about the box as girls. You may want to repackage!</p></div>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-27265340939094893632021-01-25T13:44:00.009-06:002021-06-28T14:16:57.904-06:00<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chris' 2021 Private Lesson Schedule<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following
dates:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>February 8, 9, 10, 11 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">March 1, 2, 3, 4 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">April 5, 6, 7, 8 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">May 10, 11, 12, 13 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">June 14, 15, 16, 17 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">July 5, 6, 7, 8, 15 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> August 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26</p><p class="MsoNormal">September 13, 14, 15, 16</p><p class="MsoNormal">October 18, 19, 20, 21</p><p class="MsoNormal">November 22, 23, 24, 25</p><p class="MsoNormal">December 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30</p><p class="MsoNormal">January 2022: 3, 4</p><p class="MsoNormal">It is important that you understand your lesson time is
reserved for you. If you are unable to
make a lesson, please me know as soon as possible. <b>If you
miss a lesson, you will be expected to pay for that lesson</b> unless you are
sick or have a true emergency. If you
are missing a lesson because of a birthday party, date, prom, school event,
vacation, etc., you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson(s). This has
always been store policy, but it has not always been strictly enforced. If you have frequent emergencies or
illnesses, we can discuss what the best solution would be. <i>Sometimes</i>
I am able to schedule make-up lessons, in which case you would not have to pay
for the missed lesson.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>
<br /></p>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-40131054924872402442020-01-18T19:11:00.000-06:002020-01-18T19:11:03.146-06:00Making a Fiddle - Day 9I am making a Strad model, so I had to mark all the blocks where the lining needs to go. This includes depth and length. A razor blade and a small hammer are used to make the initial cuts into the blocks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8PGs5Z1KiKTvZBrZB_GJRhSFd7LqqFdAAIMLSnGsE2rwtLOXhyTLFu6xYhyphenhyphenliN6S1APmgjlbA47jEPqBRwidjf3VAStpq9hgfIphNuYjLqE7xlZjpsVfg6kl-i5GTGMGs2B_cura5v7R/s1600/aIMG_4781r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8PGs5Z1KiKTvZBrZB_GJRhSFd7LqqFdAAIMLSnGsE2rwtLOXhyTLFu6xYhyphenhyphenliN6S1APmgjlbA47jEPqBRwidjf3VAStpq9hgfIphNuYjLqE7xlZjpsVfg6kl-i5GTGMGs2B_cura5v7R/s320/aIMG_4781r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11pt4onrDbMY4PHpwLU6Fe0Uj9tSIL9Lo__hcpzlC2r4O9_LWQJSceLbDFwvt2F5cd46WoA2xXse2KjBDO4uding9Wyvc-iYBxaaAmsE2rjLYABpuUu67bv5Cg5sX0tmz2m0YWprw90az/s1600/aIMG_4777r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11pt4onrDbMY4PHpwLU6Fe0Uj9tSIL9Lo__hcpzlC2r4O9_LWQJSceLbDFwvt2F5cd46WoA2xXse2KjBDO4uding9Wyvc-iYBxaaAmsE2rjLYABpuUu67bv5Cg5sX0tmz2m0YWprw90az/s320/aIMG_4777r.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I used a very small chisel to clean up the tunnels in the blocks where the lining will go.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTyQXkPpJuZLgwuzQAZghGVSHv_8jx4YO39fmU_8WxJSJakjOHMBY9oiTwj9ZjuGXfhECd1NRq4WnBvxQlCEle0CsasU1Ub-PlHZxIHE2YdpUYfU6NV2RAvFx6bIEFc-jvFM2CgIh4jW8/s1600/aIMG_4785r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTyQXkPpJuZLgwuzQAZghGVSHv_8jx4YO39fmU_8WxJSJakjOHMBY9oiTwj9ZjuGXfhECd1NRq4WnBvxQlCEle0CsasU1Ub-PlHZxIHE2YdpUYfU6NV2RAvFx6bIEFc-jvFM2CgIh4jW8/s320/aIMG_4785r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdMDqbvGsbNfR7N9k4SM4CW4B-uLER0DCOg893UNTwkJW52Juxbv7yfGKSvwygZ1QsgZBei8lJw62H3uhon2AnaAMruG792A0R1v6YcUQk3CcKKptXgOhBNpn33JCI97XKC5BbdIu7EHG/s1600/aIMG_4789r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdMDqbvGsbNfR7N9k4SM4CW4B-uLER0DCOg893UNTwkJW52Juxbv7yfGKSvwygZ1QsgZBei8lJw62H3uhon2AnaAMruG792A0R1v6YcUQk3CcKKptXgOhBNpn33JCI97XKC5BbdIu7EHG/s320/aIMG_4789r.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
Using a super flexible ruler, I measured the distance in between the cuts in the blocks so I would know how long to cut the lining.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkHO3WGxKqqQlSAz-QFpIJ4hFNJy7rnBLwgld5YITsmsxfVfzQFXC4eBbrgLDVCFWkdmCIZFH0CTftHVpZxhvz3ShfVkuIh5EwamhOPePmI3gSwQ4olDQ4TaAhQtFdO5CKinNvBrf3GH_/s1600/aIMG_4797r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1561" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkHO3WGxKqqQlSAz-QFpIJ4hFNJy7rnBLwgld5YITsmsxfVfzQFXC4eBbrgLDVCFWkdmCIZFH0CTftHVpZxhvz3ShfVkuIh5EwamhOPePmI3gSwQ4olDQ4TaAhQtFdO5CKinNvBrf3GH_/s320/aIMG_4797r.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs4ykWvnqPWBrF7imZUeq_dbH7zlHt10hAd_niGQCMA41Aqyfo66L1-gN54abJhVFuOdXNJpUa2xQY83rNvtk3EbK0zsx8wz3gjqOiZKjH2v2x-AOPfxAOXNtsrM06pUXXVC-UHuqczIl/s1600/aIMG_4811r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs4ykWvnqPWBrF7imZUeq_dbH7zlHt10hAd_niGQCMA41Aqyfo66L1-gN54abJhVFuOdXNJpUa2xQY83rNvtk3EbK0zsx8wz3gjqOiZKjH2v2x-AOPfxAOXNtsrM06pUXXVC-UHuqczIl/s320/aIMG_4811r.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
After bending the lining, I had to make sure each piece fit snugly into the "tunnels" and against the ribs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePiGZKtWopf29_kDm7zs0kvUdRtE2Pr3giFrhCrQZsY27dIZ5m9Zph-PawrnWP3KAu6mDEvTNWYeHCwJo22LgGCaCYhj4Q-7M66YM4ZOYoXu-y8kkiQySg6oiPy-WSHKyx2tAzXfmY14/s1600/aIMG_4801r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePiGZKtWopf29_kDm7zs0kvUdRtE2Pr3giFrhCrQZsY27dIZ5m9Zph-PawrnWP3KAu6mDEvTNWYeHCwJo22LgGCaCYhj4Q-7M66YM4ZOYoXu-y8kkiQySg6oiPy-WSHKyx2tAzXfmY14/s320/aIMG_4801r.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
The linings are made from spruce. They have to be bent to fit the curvature of the ribs and also into the blocks. Each piece of lining has to be dipped into water and then bent on the bending iron. I used a small block of wood to help bend the lining pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePiGZKtWopf29_kDm7zs0kvUdRtE2Pr3giFrhCrQZsY27dIZ5m9Zph-PawrnWP3KAu6mDEvTNWYeHCwJo22LgGCaCYhj4Q-7M66YM4ZOYoXu-y8kkiQySg6oiPy-WSHKyx2tAzXfmY14/s1600/aIMG_4801r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePiGZKtWopf29_kDm7zs0kvUdRtE2Pr3giFrhCrQZsY27dIZ5m9Zph-PawrnWP3KAu6mDEvTNWYeHCwJo22LgGCaCYhj4Q-7M66YM4ZOYoXu-y8kkiQySg6oiPy-WSHKyx2tAzXfmY14/s320/aIMG_4801r.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
I needed about 30 clothespins to clamp the lining to the ribs. The clothespins have to be taken apart and put back together again backwards. A heavy rubber band is wrapped around each clothespin to make it stronger. Rosemary and Emily helped me retrofit all the clothespins!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREBKnPDKVD0xBnKWIaupwrNRkicNS1n3RN8PwaJcLR3PDdVdp8Bpk5fLhsY4C_TcFnM36lajwHx8lyjEKADMH3gJbm2EhF8LvolPtAt1ZG7qP9ix8ECcveLI7RuV9cMVY946VphR7M660/s1600/aIMG_4950r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREBKnPDKVD0xBnKWIaupwrNRkicNS1n3RN8PwaJcLR3PDdVdp8Bpk5fLhsY4C_TcFnM36lajwHx8lyjEKADMH3gJbm2EhF8LvolPtAt1ZG7qP9ix8ECcveLI7RuV9cMVY946VphR7M660/s320/aIMG_4950r.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Hide glue is used on the lining and also on the ribs where the lining will be glued. You have to work fast!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZZwQLfkC2KGTX23ErlVVDz4Cd_da3tgeB7PaglYxaIMu4iS0iGGG7w9FnaoLIMBMbFuALXhGhr-102H2iHDpfqUsz3y83Gt5wit1UFUNRRcoBE7MVfi-pDQThB0y8eYCBU3AWb2XeEzy/s1600/aIMG_4816r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZZwQLfkC2KGTX23ErlVVDz4Cd_da3tgeB7PaglYxaIMu4iS0iGGG7w9FnaoLIMBMbFuALXhGhr-102H2iHDpfqUsz3y83Gt5wit1UFUNRRcoBE7MVfi-pDQThB0y8eYCBU3AWb2XeEzy/s320/aIMG_4816r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGQhLc78omjkYbmrAooiD7ODe8JVeJvXY3832dWyut-9V41aIx6_lwj3FokwS_X8x09kcYfyoHnT5CVfQj0AAI2jSbqirHCZzh8G1EdM6jDL4r-zSfI_F6I2UtuoAJNxV6NE4vukCT_5_/s1600/aIMG_4817r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGQhLc78omjkYbmrAooiD7ODe8JVeJvXY3832dWyut-9V41aIx6_lwj3FokwS_X8x09kcYfyoHnT5CVfQj0AAI2jSbqirHCZzh8G1EdM6jDL4r-zSfI_F6I2UtuoAJNxV6NE4vukCT_5_/s320/aIMG_4817r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Emily was helping me by holding the form when I was brushing on the glue, and also with the actual clamping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt9GsI_ZNruASKrl5j1jF5NQ-oPeqJ7U5ktE7kLetZPRDF7lQRqnL_F7mFiCGa7chBc_Bxnkv0iSuxINQwG9Uem9Pd7kvrba_j8LTzdppb5wd7UFnMVJAmTrzGFnA_p3KgeQbF-Gn6WAF/s1600/aIMG_4819r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt9GsI_ZNruASKrl5j1jF5NQ-oPeqJ7U5ktE7kLetZPRDF7lQRqnL_F7mFiCGa7chBc_Bxnkv0iSuxINQwG9Uem9Pd7kvrba_j8LTzdppb5wd7UFnMVJAmTrzGFnA_p3KgeQbF-Gn6WAF/s320/aIMG_4819r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjExywpLfYbcMZWa642jpcL2FXPmi-SLWo0jBx1l0whuiSOWBQyPHMuFDulU9KY-oEQHuUHFgSXj02hpc_8r4GGxFDwGar3MaVBR4N4Pyh6PTVFJuN4FG91EWeR7mke3GvpGRn1U1TNDv/s1600/aIMG_4820r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1251" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjExywpLfYbcMZWa642jpcL2FXPmi-SLWo0jBx1l0whuiSOWBQyPHMuFDulU9KY-oEQHuUHFgSXj02hpc_8r4GGxFDwGar3MaVBR4N4Pyh6PTVFJuN4FG91EWeR7mke3GvpGRn1U1TNDv/s320/aIMG_4820r.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-aznVqSRDHXY5c1rsox_z_Wr4Af0CYidRJxZgzgFISP-sjamBJgFEHt7BZa0kmnHd0ff8it4s-mJ-MhdlZVLvuedz53yL0-m6XVukv6u1wkQ49AcvBEXQVqF-YFTu86UM83ekx0-ZHaK/s1600/aIMG_4821r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-aznVqSRDHXY5c1rsox_z_Wr4Af0CYidRJxZgzgFISP-sjamBJgFEHt7BZa0kmnHd0ff8it4s-mJ-MhdlZVLvuedz53yL0-m6XVukv6u1wkQ49AcvBEXQVqF-YFTu86UM83ekx0-ZHaK/s320/aIMG_4821r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Using a damp rag, all the excess glue has to be wiped off so the clamps don't stick to the ribs or the mold, and so there is not excess glue everywhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0ucpuq5fUfz-N5-DDXhRA5rp60g5jhVq2hjvuydRsWbmfC5eoZVj5pvnZSaRVql3Bbe1eKz_d0hx-fD0JEAmPp9zGf26eTfeKntdiZzwLHwIPODyx_325tKMRLmMtTzTDf6tpPaQ2P52/s1600/aIMG_4825r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0ucpuq5fUfz-N5-DDXhRA5rp60g5jhVq2hjvuydRsWbmfC5eoZVj5pvnZSaRVql3Bbe1eKz_d0hx-fD0JEAmPp9zGf26eTfeKntdiZzwLHwIPODyx_325tKMRLmMtTzTDf6tpPaQ2P52/s320/aIMG_4825r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Believe it or not, these clamps are so strong some of them took two hands to open them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK2pgfB93IVec5qzhJcpb3_qjV8dTYHpkDPbmhbLRWJizOIWwSwJhIUvSF19TGIHHtFSn-bcwjLI9KY3opWukjXvQj6vLdMwVD5BzuOlX45vohmuPoTgmluQsZmaCp190bWjlIDRHhLeu/s1600/aIMG_4826r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK2pgfB93IVec5qzhJcpb3_qjV8dTYHpkDPbmhbLRWJizOIWwSwJhIUvSF19TGIHHtFSn-bcwjLI9KY3opWukjXvQj6vLdMwVD5BzuOlX45vohmuPoTgmluQsZmaCp190bWjlIDRHhLeu/s320/aIMG_4826r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here you can see me readjusting the spacing of the clamps so that there aren't any gaps, especially near the blocks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyYD7yD65pgA-LCwVzU6M8AHAzS0LKCXDxM2nG5fXMSAopj1BA3sbOO3GpNLxw8GcMR4t9OjY7mFJyf4qXAjMwjpuDvIuNV0ZWW8KmHC9OJKMSowfgW_KQuwtExuJkn9olCBsvdS8grWP/s1600/aIMG_4829r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyYD7yD65pgA-LCwVzU6M8AHAzS0LKCXDxM2nG5fXMSAopj1BA3sbOO3GpNLxw8GcMR4t9OjY7mFJyf4qXAjMwjpuDvIuNV0ZWW8KmHC9OJKMSowfgW_KQuwtExuJkn9olCBsvdS8grWP/s320/aIMG_4829r.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what it looks like with all the clamps on it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWUjujFzDIEXM0KVow8-_6xr77xKvDyiiRQGMkuEnRN2OhPJmPoh8ZKwn4OMDNMOta-ZH6nw1BKfWNF4dULP7lw-iNd-nM8U3bP3KrGivDkh03dvJ1wnp-ZLK7h1HgmBDnvotU44aJBke/s1600/aIMG_4834r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWUjujFzDIEXM0KVow8-_6xr77xKvDyiiRQGMkuEnRN2OhPJmPoh8ZKwn4OMDNMOta-ZH6nw1BKfWNF4dULP7lw-iNd-nM8U3bP3KrGivDkh03dvJ1wnp-ZLK7h1HgmBDnvotU44aJBke/s320/aIMG_4834r.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a closeup of the lining going into the edges of the endblock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofWAlhbY8JYpPHbW-dAJut73q5Pa_9tOHkzR8Aud4fqGbxlv9ga5VoE8nfmXVzWnCIIwddnSCY88LUE-YB2hzZa0wBOt1QoKBZwuldq1L4pkSrceeAqppDSq9Ez-65P5hQ2autl2zjgdl/s1600/aIMG_4952r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofWAlhbY8JYpPHbW-dAJut73q5Pa_9tOHkzR8Aud4fqGbxlv9ga5VoE8nfmXVzWnCIIwddnSCY88LUE-YB2hzZa0wBOt1QoKBZwuldq1L4pkSrceeAqppDSq9Ez-65P5hQ2autl2zjgdl/s320/aIMG_4952r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a closeup of the lining going into a corner block. Note how one side goes into the "tunnel," and the other side is just a wedge fit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z0_l1d4r0-HEfcdsY5b-NQdiWWp7mr7v5JumhmQNnvsSVq3kjHc0R-jMJRXK1DEz1KPd4L2TkYYaLwedtM74NsRdM58yoEbbgn2TraIMW_deXvhTJL7WK042zro5-TYopWss05Nskzjh/s1600/aIMG_4953r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z0_l1d4r0-HEfcdsY5b-NQdiWWp7mr7v5JumhmQNnvsSVq3kjHc0R-jMJRXK1DEz1KPd4L2TkYYaLwedtM74NsRdM58yoEbbgn2TraIMW_deXvhTJL7WK042zro5-TYopWss05Nskzjh/s320/aIMG_4953r.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the entire form with all the lining done and sanded level with the ribs. Next step is carving the back!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfBOJQ6nSO_fXB0UB25N1KvQxlOHsTgwt_jVzx8uKMzPLX9XmyKDWRlYH17lYnlAzgzEvZ0hF6S4X3g_KhblyBuifMNTx7SGq53EpDdnQ-BXi6R2JZ7B0Ym93-wqCHhnVh_H6qW50G0nI/s1600/aIMG_4951r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfBOJQ6nSO_fXB0UB25N1KvQxlOHsTgwt_jVzx8uKMzPLX9XmyKDWRlYH17lYnlAzgzEvZ0hF6S4X3g_KhblyBuifMNTx7SGq53EpDdnQ-BXi6R2JZ7B0Ym93-wqCHhnVh_H6qW50G0nI/s320/aIMG_4951r.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-31678112475872315352020-01-18T18:54:00.002-06:002020-01-18T18:54:22.759-06:00Making a Fiddle - Day 8<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">I used a chisel to trim down the ribs. When done correctly, the seam at the corners becomes almost invisible! I had to be very careful when chiseling the maple. </span><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21;">It is so easy to chip the ribs! I ended up going at an angle from the top down -- and I didn't go all the way down to the board. I would flip it over and then go the other direction. Then I would work on the middle section, and finish it out with a rasp to get it perfectly level and square.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfA8pYjii0SOumEmjYhW9aPENjAJn2do_-1-qUUZcq1KUh8kImrBgBNGZ4c2Llgj1O6XV92ZRCo6bIrS9_2UMFtgjbv5sR7y-XMa60R1uCPwamUGBuohzLLZxhyf2JVDnIRv2meuWDhgb/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfA8pYjii0SOumEmjYhW9aPENjAJn2do_-1-qUUZcq1KUh8kImrBgBNGZ4c2Llgj1O6XV92ZRCo6bIrS9_2UMFtgjbv5sR7y-XMa60R1uCPwamUGBuohzLLZxhyf2JVDnIRv2meuWDhgb/s320/2.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">After trimming the ribs with the chisel, I used a rasp to smooth out and level the edge. It should be perfectly straight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQX7vq81k0cWkj3G04qy69trB8m07ycyBqGTpHVFxWURCHemKpXE9wkGYfQbBXyy9AzxGftSf40yXIECb0NCsNm3MwJM_I-OwjwdnuNH8YHCtQjmK1I9QkPI7m_as7ad8Mj4HzUVinjczP/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQX7vq81k0cWkj3G04qy69trB8m07ycyBqGTpHVFxWURCHemKpXE9wkGYfQbBXyy9AzxGftSf40yXIECb0NCsNm3MwJM_I-OwjwdnuNH8YHCtQjmK1I9QkPI7m_as7ad8Mj4HzUVinjczP/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My sanding board is 16" x 24". It can be made from granite (which is pretty heavy, but flat), or it can be made from a board. I used 5-ply plywood. It took a good two hours to make this completely level! I used planes, scrapers and sandpaper to accomplish this.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfXPebCpmTwwiCUOBm-4o3IBzKZXV_W8yiYQSnp1nKPhg-VpC26OUt-OwvjOskubgl1nawDudhKMrFlKTS8jf7DdEHV29f1m8Hq_hPNnBDtk2Q0l_gLP9y3IhxtBxgrf4-r8XkFp87mD3/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfXPebCpmTwwiCUOBm-4o3IBzKZXV_W8yiYQSnp1nKPhg-VpC26OUt-OwvjOskubgl1nawDudhKMrFlKTS8jf7DdEHV29f1m8Hq_hPNnBDtk2Q0l_gLP9y3IhxtBxgrf4-r8XkFp87mD3/s320/4.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I used a long, thick straight edge to check for high and low spots and warping. It has to be level everywhere: top, bottom, sides, and diagonally. After the board is level, I cut large pieces of sandpaper (from sanding belts) to fit the board. I used coarser grain on one side and finer grain on the other side. The sandpaper was attached to the board using spray adhesive.</span></div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; padding-top: 5px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><div class="fbCommerceProductMiniListHscroll" id="fbPhotoSnowliftProductMiniListHscroll" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="fbPhotosPhotoButtons" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCallToActionButton" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; user-select: none;">
</div>
<div id="fbPhotoSnowliftPhotoFundraiser" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZci_3SKvYfW-T4W9wJmTa2vyCeB1aK8EWOHN36i4-3NqtZrAaQ5fq_YrI6NDTLhZoXD6_P8EZAGQXupxaxVBdN3Wjz0Bnr6Dp8q6m0mxoueXhpR4FHIdzX8E6TPGcXaV99N19yo-5-he/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZci_3SKvYfW-T4W9wJmTa2vyCeB1aK8EWOHN36i4-3NqtZrAaQ5fq_YrI6NDTLhZoXD6_P8EZAGQXupxaxVBdN3Wjz0Bnr6Dp8q6m0mxoueXhpR4FHIdzX8E6TPGcXaV99N19yo-5-he/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="mvm fbPhotosPhotoOwnerButtons stat_elem" id="fbPhotoSnowliftOwnerButtons" style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can see me using the sanding board in this picture. I am sanding the rib structure on my sanding board. It is important not to press down too hard or the ribs can break. Back and forth and circular motions across all parts of the board are important to keep the rib structure perfectly level. This has to be done on both sides of the rib structure.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO8kxqstWQn2WpQ3lNwl79F0AjUCY3iHoWvS_MDTV7Nh9KIf1jCzPbb1z5ix6gJw50ZEpc9bQnZ6nrR8cXpIC1zr-eoBEY9SAPNP3t7_ipwRlkhQbYlfBBLTkxwDa-MNm8Wn4WytgPD6E/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="866" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO8kxqstWQn2WpQ3lNwl79F0AjUCY3iHoWvS_MDTV7Nh9KIf1jCzPbb1z5ix6gJw50ZEpc9bQnZ6nrR8cXpIC1zr-eoBEY9SAPNP3t7_ipwRlkhQbYlfBBLTkxwDa-MNm8Wn4WytgPD6E/s320/6.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
<div class="mvm fbPhotosPhotoOwnerButtons stat_elem" id="fbPhotoSnowliftOwnerButtons" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Both sides look like this now!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR68vz1BAbvWzxLjwAQALVaDikIDEnGP8leSQVEknLYyqWUwYt0tb5of6gINF6bl-C6sAHvH0ldjumpsmO04bck1Bwfg-jWO59hQiYc7nY6UR13n6iwLaZ2UItYGgX0H-m63m8l-x8Yzhd/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR68vz1BAbvWzxLjwAQALVaDikIDEnGP8leSQVEknLYyqWUwYt0tb5of6gINF6bl-C6sAHvH0ldjumpsmO04bck1Bwfg-jWO59hQiYc7nY6UR13n6iwLaZ2UItYGgX0H-m63m8l-x8Yzhd/s320/7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="mvm fbPhotosPhotoOwnerButtons stat_elem" id="fbPhotoSnowliftOwnerButtons" style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a closeup of two corners.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJHHcPYhGEgGdzNUhth9qilgwSuO4SDkwNMhHtoSo_l0NHj3UP0Dje3vdVCXn2qXDH9x1XNYTMdR3uVvx7m_y1NSJwzsAVa9EEZK8l7zFG7bEo8o32eTfiNyjJVD_AgZgQWx4c2mzHw1R/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJHHcPYhGEgGdzNUhth9qilgwSuO4SDkwNMhHtoSo_l0NHj3UP0Dje3vdVCXn2qXDH9x1XNYTMdR3uVvx7m_y1NSJwzsAVa9EEZK8l7zFG7bEo8o32eTfiNyjJVD_AgZgQWx4c2mzHw1R/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; padding-top: 5px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I still have a long ways to go, but it won't be long and I'll be rid of this mold and start work on the top and back.</span></div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 5px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-HsWgCQNLSCOx2prTgyin1zSkSSSFSjR8ES7rD4zEWoFolZcjKfIKyzEQo-rjgIVpWM98dsBRlVL1s-VcCdQw0fFfCdebVc9mQGCgPPufBxLcfthewNl40h6MpEN3UD7lYfJcNoaZr-Z/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="841" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-HsWgCQNLSCOx2prTgyin1zSkSSSFSjR8ES7rD4zEWoFolZcjKfIKyzEQo-rjgIVpWM98dsBRlVL1s-VcCdQw0fFfCdebVc9mQGCgPPufBxLcfthewNl40h6MpEN3UD7lYfJcNoaZr-Z/s320/1.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="pts fbPhotoLegacyTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftLegacyTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 5px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="fbPhotoSnowliftPhotoFundraiser" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="fbPhotosPhotoButtons" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCallToActionButton" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; user-select: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-37331731563449002892020-01-02T18:54:00.003-06:002020-03-07T09:28:14.039-06:00Chris' 2020 Private Lesson Schedule<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following
dates:</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 10, 11, 12, 13<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 9, 10, 11, 12<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 6, 7, 8, 9<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 25, 26, 27, 28<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June 15, 16, 17, 18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
July 6, 7, 8, 9<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
August 10, 11, 12, 13</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 14, 15, 16, 17</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 19, 20, 21, 22</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November 23, 24, 25, 26</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
December 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is important that you understand your lesson time is
reserved for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are unable to
make a lesson, please me know as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If you
miss a lesson, you will be expected to pay for that lesson</b> unless you are
sick or have a true emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
are missing a lesson because of a birthday party, date, prom, school event, vacation,
etc., you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson(s). This has always
been store policy, but it has not always been strictly enforced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have frequent emergencies or
illnesses, we can discuss what the best solution would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sometimes</i>
I am able to schedule make-up lessons, in which case you would not have to pay
for the missed lesson.<o:p></o:p></div>
Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-76173294452039358692019-12-21T18:55:00.000-06:002019-12-21T19:25:14.065-06:00Making a Fiddle - Day 7This day made a big difference in how my fiddle looks. It is actually starting to look like a fiddle! I have all the ribs glued to the blocks now. Here are the steps I completed this day.<br />
<br />
I started by deciding which way I wanted the flaming on the wood to go. The flames on my ribs are slightly angled, so I decided to make all the flames angle back towards the bottom (end block area) of the fiddle. I marked the ribs lightly in pencil with LL (lower left), LR (lower right), UL (upper left) and UR (upper right). I also drew arrows that faced the endblock (lower ribs), and the neck block (upper ribs). Then I started measuring and cutting the length of the ribs. I marked the center of the upper and lower blocks. I used a very flexible, clear ruler for measuring. It conforms to all the curves so I could get a very accurate measurement. I added a little bit of length to the measurements so that the ribs would extend beyond the corners. (They will be trimmed later, but this makes for an almost invisible corner joint.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fg6vP2UZ6OO0lC8vPukjKw0nA2pWTE8Pijon5uhiP7vwPr5Dn8TbaphYc51DeDG7pNVk-icZRUUT3oP6gUiNcl4XoMYxwgZSGtg2fz8W3RxMyPLL9vvV1L1VPh875j2w9-pdYjF3kYFb/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fg6vP2UZ6OO0lC8vPukjKw0nA2pWTE8Pijon5uhiP7vwPr5Dn8TbaphYc51DeDG7pNVk-icZRUUT3oP6gUiNcl4XoMYxwgZSGtg2fz8W3RxMyPLL9vvV1L1VPh875j2w9-pdYjF3kYFb/s320/22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoBeL-rutnye-VnoJ3w1eGCM_RwGedoFkphY75ltnDoKvcxqyj5Me_33j48HvH7NBrWkK5Oo5CLRqtxKK-0DsUu2s_R1jw___FbSc822UicUP8cUYjRABK7gu3s7Qq9FfPJ_v_K27NRNT/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoBeL-rutnye-VnoJ3w1eGCM_RwGedoFkphY75ltnDoKvcxqyj5Me_33j48HvH7NBrWkK5Oo5CLRqtxKK-0DsUu2s_R1jw___FbSc822UicUP8cUYjRABK7gu3s7Qq9FfPJ_v_K27NRNT/s320/1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyKPs1j3ZRlaESNXIgMtpBbBfvuLqHpNJGQdIWq3QZ0fAGL4rf75qOYXQT4uPnlctgfpmNIt60JMabq-cGnVThLLJf0Nwnuv-1qyv6jXhZvF7awR9TMm2yOUZfM2H8do4vvOwvvTrtyob/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="720" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyKPs1j3ZRlaESNXIgMtpBbBfvuLqHpNJGQdIWq3QZ0fAGL4rf75qOYXQT4uPnlctgfpmNIt60JMabq-cGnVThLLJf0Nwnuv-1qyv6jXhZvF7awR9TMm2yOUZfM2H8do4vvOwvvTrtyob/s320/19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzxENv0ypcFeaUyDGQJdRMuyNoges5X6AsxtgLRosmzpQn5Fmq1pxysGb8IxBOXIZKTmqGEGyy8KurcGntAbnNEYkTk-1Vgj7tNtEw4AvNRjpMF-GEORm463a8B85QTEXoxKn42BIbTWp/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="720" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzxENv0ypcFeaUyDGQJdRMuyNoges5X6AsxtgLRosmzpQn5Fmq1pxysGb8IxBOXIZKTmqGEGyy8KurcGntAbnNEYkTk-1Vgj7tNtEw4AvNRjpMF-GEORm463a8B85QTEXoxKn42BIbTWp/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The lower ribs have to fit perfectly so that there will not be a gap at the endblock. I used the square and a file to get this correct. After the lower ribs are bent, the ends are glued together, taped and clamped with a counter block. (I'll explain counter blocks in more details later on in this entry.) This keeps the fit perfect when you clamp the ribs to the endblock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpHAGftmyTwstqjFG4x9Yinvogyng2U4txZRs3xOA9eCHsUbuX9-p-Qip9zZ6e5IdSiNk_Jejfr8EWOt8VCq_Ljp7XDyRV6fZQH7CvXq3fPF_kO6y2Q4vDXbtTIzYQVWvjmoeERKu2alv/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpHAGftmyTwstqjFG4x9Yinvogyng2U4txZRs3xOA9eCHsUbuX9-p-Qip9zZ6e5IdSiNk_Jejfr8EWOt8VCq_Ljp7XDyRV6fZQH7CvXq3fPF_kO6y2Q4vDXbtTIzYQVWvjmoeERKu2alv/s320/13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm9sgcrhRORKDMe9cAI0OkfOIignAd0RBOSjrFauI-R_XDiHIY3_JZgWPXh3x9uzpRJdo4aqE-RVjQG9IbMpgtuYBlmve2yzXyXyfHmUo3k1TamvNSdLKpU1a2cWwi9bFKaIBdMqntjut/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm9sgcrhRORKDMe9cAI0OkfOIignAd0RBOSjrFauI-R_XDiHIY3_JZgWPXh3x9uzpRJdo4aqE-RVjQG9IbMpgtuYBlmve2yzXyXyfHmUo3k1TamvNSdLKpU1a2cWwi9bFKaIBdMqntjut/s320/16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OlbjKtquA7QwI0JJdkFxS4b4XFUEnE7H85dSj1Ho6syrhBWcndiU97Pb6BvFXsRL3zP3dd6kesMfYW1GWTEsoyA60yEQDQJuD8oRG4u5t-EJtlQbHsEe7UoKn5IFtX8cxKP0zRHlDDzK/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OlbjKtquA7QwI0JJdkFxS4b4XFUEnE7H85dSj1Ho6syrhBWcndiU97Pb6BvFXsRL3zP3dd6kesMfYW1GWTEsoyA60yEQDQJuD8oRG4u5t-EJtlQbHsEe7UoKn5IFtX8cxKP0zRHlDDzK/s320/24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
To bend the ribs, I first had to dip the ribs in a small bucket of water. Then I used the rib bender and sometimes the bending strap. I personally prefer not to the use the strap because I can't feel when the wood starts to "give." When the wood starts to give, it can be bent without it cracking or breaking (but sometimes it does anyway). Sometimes it was necessary for me to use the bending strap because the wood needed the support on certain curves, or because I needed to work so close to my fingers that the heat and steam would have burned me. I kept the mold nearby so that I could keep checking to see if I was making the curves correctly. The ribs have to fit the mold and blocks with no gaps. It was a little tedious, but not too bad. I had to constantly look to make sure I wasn't bending a rib upside-down or backwards. The arrows and markings that I penciled onto the ribs were very helpful for this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1KaVJtkE6EzgZmGxVFqxGCPnHdtCIwYakaFOgSIze8fLeEPsMIaHByui0I6lrr8DkvF1aBtGuEjQxmmgsTKz_XhSnjbgE8ttXRNqah6CgVPx7m6S-2ITADDm5oB8BaqJwWagZwXQNI90/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1KaVJtkE6EzgZmGxVFqxGCPnHdtCIwYakaFOgSIze8fLeEPsMIaHByui0I6lrr8DkvF1aBtGuEjQxmmgsTKz_XhSnjbgE8ttXRNqah6CgVPx7m6S-2ITADDm5oB8BaqJwWagZwXQNI90/s320/7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAfWglhGEjj1xfRMPYus4CBuZ3zoOR6fMbzSTWdSaFy_y_Rl5iGYMWm0uCmPD4P7xvnUYwJnVi_Ief7Y4Qhyphenhyphen7B7ZjCEzM9v1HmsZVSLd0r1T54K3o2B8diCHACODW43tpJgYJTBmTYhE9/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAfWglhGEjj1xfRMPYus4CBuZ3zoOR6fMbzSTWdSaFy_y_Rl5iGYMWm0uCmPD4P7xvnUYwJnVi_Ief7Y4Qhyphenhyphen7B7ZjCEzM9v1HmsZVSLd0r1T54K3o2B8diCHACODW43tpJgYJTBmTYhE9/s320/14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeez44R5C6xNs08yKHBWhAhHzwUk6zVG2Fza1eiZOWADtjXPMRp_QpMREPUPldTIzrJHZqmA9VSZBKzWZUgp84FDo57yd27cove_6e6zxfme-B0bRN5Yeam_pFz7M199p_CaZ6cVW3L-q/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeez44R5C6xNs08yKHBWhAhHzwUk6zVG2Fza1eiZOWADtjXPMRp_QpMREPUPldTIzrJHZqmA9VSZBKzWZUgp84FDo57yd27cove_6e6zxfme-B0bRN5Yeam_pFz7M199p_CaZ6cVW3L-q/s320/23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxkB8tPmzN8L_QsByIBhzjkdhyCu4kELsQ384oABLqghOXIUkCjv7PoOCkrrGOgbJMO4lkCVeFymy1jXqkQvH-GmkqxfIMUASZFMvsJlYqrFlKXVunW5b2hq3h_Ny6MkijYAYGMkMb1pC/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxkB8tPmzN8L_QsByIBhzjkdhyCu4kELsQ384oABLqghOXIUkCjv7PoOCkrrGOgbJMO4lkCVeFymy1jXqkQvH-GmkqxfIMUASZFMvsJlYqrFlKXVunW5b2hq3h_Ny6MkijYAYGMkMb1pC/s320/27.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After all the ribs were bent, it was time to glue the ribs to the blocks. This is where the counter blocks come into play. Counter blocks are small blocks of wood that are used to clamp the ribs to the blocks. They fit perfectly into the curves of the fiddle ribs and give you something to clamp the ribs against. If you label all your counter blocks after you make them, it makes it easier to know which ones are for which curves. (Notice the "UL" that is visible on the end of one of the counter blocks in the picture below. All of these blocks are labelled, but for some reason, only one label happened to be facing up so that it was visible in my picture.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo7sKlASycSBQ0UYhmpZI3f-pCJw-A0s6j8tFKrP3H-AkivccwVRYR4Xfr8uJwL0ap6Ro42z_xsdTUooz2bl0ltvej1reAPSNhODhZTcpj3roB3GxY9XRiiEE-KVGWzLfkqq0lx_ns4ds/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo7sKlASycSBQ0UYhmpZI3f-pCJw-A0s6j8tFKrP3H-AkivccwVRYR4Xfr8uJwL0ap6Ro42z_xsdTUooz2bl0ltvej1reAPSNhODhZTcpj3roB3GxY9XRiiEE-KVGWzLfkqq0lx_ns4ds/s320/18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
First, I positioned one rib where it would be glued. I used a pencil to mark on the rib where the blocks were. This shows me where I will be putting the glue. The ribs are only glued to the blocks and not to the mold itself. It is a good idea to wax the edges of the mold so that any stray glue will not adhere to the ribs. I got my counter blocks and my clamps ready. I put hide glue on the block and also on the rib, then I positioned it and clamped it. This has to be done on a flat surface. I used a large piece of safety glass. The ribs stay in contact with the glass, which keeps everything perfectly level and flat on the bottom. Having another person to help when you are gluing and clamping the ribs is a very good idea! This makes it so much easier to hold things in place and clamp at the same time. After the clamp is in place, I wiped off the excess glue with a damp cloth. I did this as I clamped each rib rather than waiting until I was done with all of them. Hide glue sets pretty quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNLnJzeQNB-sG2tHSJLe5JCirYxS0FKtcV_8owrZePDs6kFNiEqmupC-q2GBHHYYxM0CfGi_XBXYESfLsrc5PG7LOv6hg5Ius7EhGrcuHrp95NSSJzVYZzeOzSeUUNQL4tkippphSKhz0/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNLnJzeQNB-sG2tHSJLe5JCirYxS0FKtcV_8owrZePDs6kFNiEqmupC-q2GBHHYYxM0CfGi_XBXYESfLsrc5PG7LOv6hg5Ius7EhGrcuHrp95NSSJzVYZzeOzSeUUNQL4tkippphSKhz0/s320/25.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It is important to make sure the clamps are positioned in the center of the counter blocks so that pressure is applied evenly to the rib and there are no gaps. After all the clamps are in place, I picked up the mold and wiped off excess glue from the bottom of the ribs and blocks. This is what it looked like with all the clamps in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBJ6NdtCpYAHLYVAQ-sVv1jzh3pn45qRakCplKNfmr3YZG_7uJ4hlqVLK9SwVpAXy5i-blzqhPA7EFyWyNy8eSulhLKRyV4j4UYwuKQCCLeJZQrBTFbpJD4hX-bgyWbhWf4XD35tX-3oq/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBJ6NdtCpYAHLYVAQ-sVv1jzh3pn45qRakCplKNfmr3YZG_7uJ4hlqVLK9SwVpAXy5i-blzqhPA7EFyWyNy8eSulhLKRyV4j4UYwuKQCCLeJZQrBTFbpJD4hX-bgyWbhWf4XD35tX-3oq/s320/21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what it looks like after I removed the clamps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUUg_sLRE-MxTYPm3GWxR42RfrBRf73n8yDLVlW9ssKQJtL0IOCqGg262GcIAj5Q0pAdH5Ewzmb6wUTYfFt65ff2pj0flULfbKPq-Pnqg-YTW352c799vsB3y-CHTdoQADiWuEUqbzvJw/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUUg_sLRE-MxTYPm3GWxR42RfrBRf73n8yDLVlW9ssKQJtL0IOCqGg262GcIAj5Q0pAdH5Ewzmb6wUTYfFt65ff2pj0flULfbKPq-Pnqg-YTW352c799vsB3y-CHTdoQADiWuEUqbzvJw/s320/29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_1avF-2fVQWcA1ulXCOGqr3uia7_YFuJ64gxTGgrdYlAExeZoLc3_DcTD0y0q3qfbaUXH-0DcAB0U0feVaBUORrQrkN8VSdpHGjHTXy5c46o5wio8SnAjjnls9cUiVn4UMXQDH3_rwE9/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_1avF-2fVQWcA1ulXCOGqr3uia7_YFuJ64gxTGgrdYlAExeZoLc3_DcTD0y0q3qfbaUXH-0DcAB0U0feVaBUORrQrkN8VSdpHGjHTXy5c46o5wio8SnAjjnls9cUiVn4UMXQDH3_rwE9/s320/30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It won't be long and I'll be starting on the top and back! Yay!Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-56305326692920563352019-12-18T13:19:00.000-06:002019-12-18T13:19:45.270-06:00Making a Fiddle - Days 5 & 6Okay. It's holiday season. My time has been severely limited and my patience tested. Nevertheless, I managed to get all the blocks done and the two ribs trimmed.<br />
<br />
This is all tedious work -- at least to me! The good news? I actually got a workbench! I have been doing repairs of all kinds on a table for 15 years, so this was especially welcome! It is hard to work on a table because it isn't tall enough for some work, and tables are very wobbly. I had no place for vices, as the table didn't have a thick enough top and was not sturdy enough for vices. It was also hard to clamp anything to the table for the same reasons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodaoSiiqIaat3NbfAVOP9a72jgkrlrTYigVcQ0st5jTgvOF6MXUR9bjELwQi55MzJYAKX8jumN5zuHqkORk0FA0okCvnpqNY0Y7tyc6dQHj_B50z1PuwjmRPeVNe1omQfU3LrKbybPGd/s1600/pic14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodaoSiiqIaat3NbfAVOP9a72jgkrlrTYigVcQ0st5jTgvOF6MXUR9bjELwQi55MzJYAKX8jumN5zuHqkORk0FA0okCvnpqNY0Y7tyc6dQHj_B50z1PuwjmRPeVNe1omQfU3LrKbybPGd/s320/pic14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNN7_EeummzQg04ZvppkqNOE_7g6TSfCr_dLzLU2eGuHV2vTtCgVv2C0U0Y8HZVQ7K-Dou3cCMM8b49nhjoNuoeO6lDK-eun5QschwjzdT1z7xozUT_mm2X4Rb5s__YZXeU9p_nAihuGW/s1600/pic15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNN7_EeummzQg04ZvppkqNOE_7g6TSfCr_dLzLU2eGuHV2vTtCgVv2C0U0Y8HZVQ7K-Dou3cCMM8b49nhjoNuoeO6lDK-eun5QschwjzdT1z7xozUT_mm2X4Rb5s__YZXeU9p_nAihuGW/s320/pic15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
When using the gouges to cut the blocks, I had to use very small cuts and make sure the gouges were super sharp. The wood splits and cracks easily, or else digs in too far if you try to take a shortcut here and take larger cuts. It is even worse when cutting the maple ribs! No matter how small a cut I tried to take, it was very difficult to keep the maple from basically crumbling under the gouge. Angling the cut seemed to work better, as did only taking a partial cut (half of the height of the rib, then turning and gouging the other half from the opposite direction). I used a file when I got within a half millimeter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Y8sBjyKaqTL3u44D5n5NQXSYIEOUzoyxVmFvs9qeV8onsOUsQW0QhFFRcEiT8V0hDE1FqJ7_BjqURSsbNcGC9BGDNXTVfrCuvLC1pip9Y2uZvvMAfvYeerp0PC507_MhI4XNwwEnVWA/s1600/pic7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Y8sBjyKaqTL3u44D5n5NQXSYIEOUzoyxVmFvs9qeV8onsOUsQW0QhFFRcEiT8V0hDE1FqJ7_BjqURSsbNcGC9BGDNXTVfrCuvLC1pip9Y2uZvvMAfvYeerp0PC507_MhI4XNwwEnVWA/s320/pic7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBa65EH1Acd4jP6SqPVeO3nQbTPIwUNOvK-RLxigTBJ2eyPEy8FbWDXGaqrDw8wKtriE9HqKB8IgPSqKdxPBZCaFVyrNqA1GHgFpgrBmZgWVt-95RV2LVMRtehnqwj4lon2F2iwyO_Ceq/s1600/pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBa65EH1Acd4jP6SqPVeO3nQbTPIwUNOvK-RLxigTBJ2eyPEy8FbWDXGaqrDw8wKtriE9HqKB8IgPSqKdxPBZCaFVyrNqA1GHgFpgrBmZgWVt-95RV2LVMRtehnqwj4lon2F2iwyO_Ceq/s320/pic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias6jrl3mYVCKv7p0VBt9jY5dUW-lf297ZkYwJLmf2PmTfY8laHYfxEPG6458W1VmgrfHR85pMXTFLZZAn788TCLPqeRQXWTKpRy_S5QAitSSRBUv7JhtZ8wPB8wGG76z-b0vs76TGUNl8/s1600/pic9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias6jrl3mYVCKv7p0VBt9jY5dUW-lf297ZkYwJLmf2PmTfY8laHYfxEPG6458W1VmgrfHR85pMXTFLZZAn788TCLPqeRQXWTKpRy_S5QAitSSRBUv7JhtZ8wPB8wGG76z-b0vs76TGUNl8/s320/pic9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4yy_gAwr-SkF8gsmOvyAx4tX26bNWPXRpG01CgLLdGaSLcPmVaRrnl2_zqGZtZlju80F72hkMP4663JyjrSD51tkGKqQGnbPmgrIFzhS7STv55dy3dqQlpXy0CegCSuluBP2w_3s5fj/s1600/pic13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4yy_gAwr-SkF8gsmOvyAx4tX26bNWPXRpG01CgLLdGaSLcPmVaRrnl2_zqGZtZlju80F72hkMP4663JyjrSD51tkGKqQGnbPmgrIFzhS7STv55dy3dqQlpXy0CegCSuluBP2w_3s5fj/s320/pic13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And, as always, a square is a must! The blocks have to remain perfectly square or else the ribs will be twisted and the top and back will not fit properly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUriMbdzeXbk_L25H3Kd9NBW1LgScexCaPPT9KVseuyAJ3mnEk4syeR76F4fENn1jn37bizeda_dFqXSJHplROqt9JF7xEbmALcb_NeLA9XcZx-rn4SE9HYhEFCks34OjhnHJ50IrZECkn/s1600/pic6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUriMbdzeXbk_L25H3Kd9NBW1LgScexCaPPT9KVseuyAJ3mnEk4syeR76F4fENn1jn37bizeda_dFqXSJHplROqt9JF7xEbmALcb_NeLA9XcZx-rn4SE9HYhEFCks34OjhnHJ50IrZECkn/s320/pic6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdZ0isPZTM7omXaGirh8b9Lm8ebqChi3DpvrbwamEA-D81_Mr6_xsBGDGNqPn8eAiVQRdMi0BEkyu2BLHm-DZa0LzhyphenhyphenauFbCFWcgD1FYU4pjRZvJgcz3O-hl_XopU86_FebExZKymiYuv/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdZ0isPZTM7omXaGirh8b9Lm8ebqChi3DpvrbwamEA-D81_Mr6_xsBGDGNqPn8eAiVQRdMi0BEkyu2BLHm-DZa0LzhyphenhyphenauFbCFWcgD1FYU4pjRZvJgcz3O-hl_XopU86_FebExZKymiYuv/s320/pic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To make nice looking, asymmetrical corners, it is important to measure the distance from the center point of the mold to each corner. For instance, if you are working on the lower corners, mark the center point of the mold in between those two corners, then measure from the center point to each corner. Do the same thing for the upper corners. If this measurement is not exact, the fiddle won't look exactly right when finished. I used a caliper for this, but you can also you a protractor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9rMYzTAUL0nYNNbz8qWwkm7g8EDBHxWmDmsEeR9x1_BNKQsbC-ApO4i5GDIpMR4_BQdLw93Bt2NfhphuggoLZxr6M9MeLOIXe9BIjk0yfzHug-9wEG834AORKZTwPITlzyjVSj7BoB5F/s1600/pic16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9rMYzTAUL0nYNNbz8qWwkm7g8EDBHxWmDmsEeR9x1_BNKQsbC-ApO4i5GDIpMR4_BQdLw93Bt2NfhphuggoLZxr6M9MeLOIXe9BIjk0yfzHug-9wEG834AORKZTwPITlzyjVSj7BoB5F/s320/pic16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM5I3YXqzCK51xGYipuPMI5YcB4RdN1VdiaTheOOmwH0C49pwnSOr6ExOa-zj7CFfj9RdhpRFwg1cecAlIZC2a6K380mMFm3mop04zU0p40oK-WI4oBLKkEuqqpkigX9c0C6ks4ZqzH9c/s1600/pic17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM5I3YXqzCK51xGYipuPMI5YcB4RdN1VdiaTheOOmwH0C49pwnSOr6ExOa-zj7CFfj9RdhpRFwg1cecAlIZC2a6K380mMFm3mop04zU0p40oK-WI4oBLKkEuqqpkigX9c0C6ks4ZqzH9c/s320/pic17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what is looks like now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYPIDTEguwHyv_zpQSiKWSXkcYKhPajZUDbIGoOUPTmtNi-37IGh6DM13wltsgaGmnQIhlp11z2sud3SB8rlmsoJokfRYdP8C-f0E2lJhqnQNHpJaRITyVyYsHdEhlECQXOikdONgLLE/s1600/pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYPIDTEguwHyv_zpQSiKWSXkcYKhPajZUDbIGoOUPTmtNi-37IGh6DM13wltsgaGmnQIhlp11z2sud3SB8rlmsoJokfRYdP8C-f0E2lJhqnQNHpJaRITyVyYsHdEhlECQXOikdONgLLE/s400/pic5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What's next? I will be bending and gluing ribs next!Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-92203276586871741152019-11-23T19:07:00.001-06:002019-11-23T19:07:35.150-06:00Making a Fiddle - My Day 4This was an exciting day because I bent the ribs for the C bouts! Before doing any actual rib work, there were several steps I had to accomplish first. I started by putting the metal template in place over the steel pins, and then I used an awl to trace around the template onto my blocks. I had to do this on both sides of the top and bottom. Then I used a pencil to go over the awl tracings so it would be easy to see my lines. These are the lines that I had to cut the blocks up to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KPqs3jffobyw4BLVhs0PcWYTvR91xkS_n9BSPxNT3dCodOrr0pWFCEhpiehyphenhyphenAP9roUjsCaQQzOfJuAt7RmuD1yBNbT48-1DeziF2k1kjjoDROVpCYzbdsoRl5ow4NSt96SK64_hBMNDk/s1600/mold+and+template+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KPqs3jffobyw4BLVhs0PcWYTvR91xkS_n9BSPxNT3dCodOrr0pWFCEhpiehyphenhyphenAP9roUjsCaQQzOfJuAt7RmuD1yBNbT48-1DeziF2k1kjjoDROVpCYzbdsoRl5ow4NSt96SK64_hBMNDk/s320/mold+and+template+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I used a special wooden "corner" of sorts that goes over the edge of the workbench today. It is actually clamped to the workbench so it doesn't move. The mold is put either on top of the wooden corner, or on the side of it when cutting the blocks. I used gouges that are sharp on the inside edges to cut off the areas of the blocks where the ribs will be attached. I only did the two inside C-bout corners to start with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhGZtnzExNoLIA411aKI-oGBPkO1U3NURoMOFlKfdhglwQA51zklorJGzZmmeOhFuZ6NjbcgeBKlbPg72MCtF0pSRojgsNzqjXNVkrUhqc5DHw2DtpC6iSxKOTEMGoYeWnw-9zkDWRpW6/s1600/pic21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="867" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhGZtnzExNoLIA411aKI-oGBPkO1U3NURoMOFlKfdhglwQA51zklorJGzZmmeOhFuZ6NjbcgeBKlbPg72MCtF0pSRojgsNzqjXNVkrUhqc5DHw2DtpC6iSxKOTEMGoYeWnw-9zkDWRpW6/s320/pic21.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<br />
Once again, this is very exacting work. The blocks have to remain perfectly square when you cut the curves for the ribs. I used a small square over and over again to check for squareness. Sometimes I worked on top of the wooden corner, and sometimes I worked on the sides of it. I had to keep flipping the mold over to make sure I was cutting evenly from both sides and didn't go through any of my lines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aH5s6sSNTMsaIRs-WsqD5HoVBxzytU3YgMYTFq75yi6J-eq0UdhTJJpXJtj7EVT5-Pmwc_i05FU14ZJAAQLesyMXOf9Zftm81bSGpPCQ7TeQv3bLOvhjBneea4pHRZRKtZf5YH-JT24l/s1600/pic14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aH5s6sSNTMsaIRs-WsqD5HoVBxzytU3YgMYTFq75yi6J-eq0UdhTJJpXJtj7EVT5-Pmwc_i05FU14ZJAAQLesyMXOf9Zftm81bSGpPCQ7TeQv3bLOvhjBneea4pHRZRKtZf5YH-JT24l/s320/pic14.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7vFueL3UZ49W8UCg0qqkjl94m-3cCWsgRKM_9hibaT_YX7vPueL8o4owFzOcx3wm7LsFR8E_30d45I3v-FIbZhytZGSuUMp9CT5OJDbbErZxxta1Qth96FukEKzOxDe02d5t96hVyn2Q/s1600/pic11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7vFueL3UZ49W8UCg0qqkjl94m-3cCWsgRKM_9hibaT_YX7vPueL8o4owFzOcx3wm7LsFR8E_30d45I3v-FIbZhytZGSuUMp9CT5OJDbbErZxxta1Qth96FukEKzOxDe02d5t96hVyn2Q/s320/pic11.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh174Y-C3zbv3H4-6HRVPpY2mWzETcnM77sHKh-O-DT78D7r9HaAG3l1GbsZVdKdYVXTxhrAKw8C2v2Sc4C1PvxqxsEwyRzAcadcx9qD7hOeiezzBTqeuMpIYul9ZDd7CRLNOvnGzmkHawV/s1600/pic20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh174Y-C3zbv3H4-6HRVPpY2mWzETcnM77sHKh-O-DT78D7r9HaAG3l1GbsZVdKdYVXTxhrAKw8C2v2Sc4C1PvxqxsEwyRzAcadcx9qD7hOeiezzBTqeuMpIYul9ZDd7CRLNOvnGzmkHawV/s320/pic20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIrwQpgp7G6dVYXVh5rlOltLvhyQ-SinuacFZyyc58YoSSrJk5jyIqRAb7ZdeQe7K-dFmL0_luhXHFLNcH8waZ3pec1lIem7tAKbDj5NLW52CqEx7scRr6uLziekiyOsUGiMF0jw28Jtw/s1600/pic8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIrwQpgp7G6dVYXVh5rlOltLvhyQ-SinuacFZyyc58YoSSrJk5jyIqRAb7ZdeQe7K-dFmL0_luhXHFLNcH8waZ3pec1lIem7tAKbDj5NLW52CqEx7scRr6uLziekiyOsUGiMF0jw28Jtw/s320/pic8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The ribs are cut from larger pieces of rib stock. This is heavily flamed maple. If you want the fiddle to look really beautiful, then it is important to cut the ribs and back from the same piece of wood. This makes all the flames match in size and intensity. Once the ribs have been cut, they have to be measured for correct height and thickness, and then ultimately for correct length based on where they will be placed on the fiddle. To get the thickness accurate all over, I used a special caliper that I slid the wood through. When the gauge showed an area that was too thick, I marked that area with a pencil. Then I used a rough rasp to remove the pencil markings. I did this over and over again until the ribs were fairly uniform in thickness. I used sandpaper to smooth out the rasp marks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IJx3-XzDdqUeGniLwVC_CqCyW6tnL5Efag-UbcIW3B6yAAeXrw6zcz5-rLKrlslkDQupCKDdOuodaj203LFRjHl8kJN91SWc87L5AT5ZM0soQ-9uNFMjZNExUN7sG9EFIQU3WLdjDh76/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IJx3-XzDdqUeGniLwVC_CqCyW6tnL5Efag-UbcIW3B6yAAeXrw6zcz5-rLKrlslkDQupCKDdOuodaj203LFRjHl8kJN91SWc87L5AT5ZM0soQ-9uNFMjZNExUN7sG9EFIQU3WLdjDh76/s320/pic2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGYL2aCXeP3rljhKO3nB-KEhA2FmWxPNJ56ok-Ykw4lLbJTmHBMreK-jM7VcA-x3z3ROLpgQZlx_BeyOgdeLfpw7c0xDx7VuM9GF-_M1WBPj7GRhoPPf9MUTa2ALnSN7Flb59TmiHzaWh/s1600/pic19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGYL2aCXeP3rljhKO3nB-KEhA2FmWxPNJ56ok-Ykw4lLbJTmHBMreK-jM7VcA-x3z3ROLpgQZlx_BeyOgdeLfpw7c0xDx7VuM9GF-_M1WBPj7GRhoPPf9MUTa2ALnSN7Flb59TmiHzaWh/s320/pic19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The edges of the ribs were planed so that they would be level, square, and the correct height. Once again, I used the wooden corner (and Greg) to help.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPriAZiIVBlLtmxlfVVNbx1aT0HEgVNGDuOWs-qYUPnr98WX0pUWLJMPvS9nBxhyphenhyphenm7QTyfcF_IQ7sWSS2JvGKp4HyEkX3opK72FCNR4AjzMeci02EayV04n_nJW22jZYYqscfjTAqce5u/s1600/pic18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPriAZiIVBlLtmxlfVVNbx1aT0HEgVNGDuOWs-qYUPnr98WX0pUWLJMPvS9nBxhyphenhyphenm7QTyfcF_IQ7sWSS2JvGKp4HyEkX3opK72FCNR4AjzMeci02EayV04n_nJW22jZYYqscfjTAqce5u/s320/pic18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, we measured the area where the rib would be bent and glued, and marked and cut the rib to the correct length. The rib will be cut slightly long.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKo056r8o6nE9Xc9BGpt9KIJzL5-zjoPjNCkH_aXmYoNIkCUOAUpMKTwR6Wr1lY4E9SvJIXdURkkcFKX8df3Z376LiOngJ2dDn8yJFxEMAHXCtg6LilEz47XpzCDkYin97BYc8rEAPTGq/s1600/pic9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKo056r8o6nE9Xc9BGpt9KIJzL5-zjoPjNCkH_aXmYoNIkCUOAUpMKTwR6Wr1lY4E9SvJIXdURkkcFKX8df3Z376LiOngJ2dDn8yJFxEMAHXCtg6LilEz47XpzCDkYin97BYc8rEAPTGq/s320/pic9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu1wkJH4xIpZP2i9NFyHlpIfoCJGKSOpW8C5KJLrZZXJpZifnah16ZlUjWLHWMfOyq3gAfKIIUWVX3EUcaJ1a8zFY8fShjBumlG3b48XqQJ_eFHamKqYGatJpwmAuATkwCXZy2dqRrltN/s1600/pic7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu1wkJH4xIpZP2i9NFyHlpIfoCJGKSOpW8C5KJLrZZXJpZifnah16ZlUjWLHWMfOyq3gAfKIIUWVX3EUcaJ1a8zFY8fShjBumlG3b48XqQJ_eFHamKqYGatJpwmAuATkwCXZy2dqRrltN/s320/pic7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, it's finally time to bend the ribs! I used an old piece of rib material to practice with first. Everything went good, so then it was on to the real thing! I used a bending iron, bending strap and a small block of wood to help bend the rib to fit the C bout. This is the toughest one to make because it has the sharpest curves out of all the ribs. Highly flamed maple is also hard to bend because the wood tends to break at the flaming. I put the first rib into a bucket of water for a few seconds, and then I used the bending strap and iron to bend it. I had the mold right beside me so I could fit the rib into the area in which it would be glued to make sure it fit correctly and tightly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbL-hpu1nfGdGC_xWSlKYwO0NMYVBj7CanI7rbIw-DPVbOEWGd86imFCx3Q24Pw1TRTQOK3ZZSVhth1uqKqoIbvVQQ7SBSWaWXmHKVHs8WaTo7DFrbPQIsjLsvbKMgX_ccPxq0fldW7yd/s1600/pic13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbL-hpu1nfGdGC_xWSlKYwO0NMYVBj7CanI7rbIw-DPVbOEWGd86imFCx3Q24Pw1TRTQOK3ZZSVhth1uqKqoIbvVQQ7SBSWaWXmHKVHs8WaTo7DFrbPQIsjLsvbKMgX_ccPxq0fldW7yd/s320/pic13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb848LYgLt6RPQBBHDR2BLELENxmXm9g6LDYRfrcB4C0HL6fQKxG6VJvAi5Vkf7SPKv3fYP1Y6kWnGWYPQkxBpTgMxZ0I1qZuf0n-wbnMWET6yo6DZLlpqGK09_hu1XCsUyj3JryE5dqVD/s1600/pic10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb848LYgLt6RPQBBHDR2BLELENxmXm9g6LDYRfrcB4C0HL6fQKxG6VJvAi5Vkf7SPKv3fYP1Y6kWnGWYPQkxBpTgMxZ0I1qZuf0n-wbnMWET6yo6DZLlpqGK09_hu1XCsUyj3JryE5dqVD/s320/pic10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
That's an overhead view of the rib, bending iron and bending strap, so you have to look closely to see there's a rib in there!<br />
<br />
When the rib looked to be bent correctly, we did a "dry" clamp of the rib to make sure there were no gaps that would require me to keep working at getting the rib bent correctly. I used a special clamp that Greg made called a step clamp. It is really neat because it can be resized and used for both violins and violas. You'll see how it works in the next couple of pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtjP1AsLbROMPwJrtBVqRHbnN0IohroSNW9lsiYMcfNZHPkyeCbhjHQGh7gla5MkVaD64Ivpx6QUWckeVPQNyENFqV7BIgARQkqcr13OX8_F9rSOPYjtEQ8cVJHdWmuqdKJ6K3vUd04YT/s1600/pic24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtjP1AsLbROMPwJrtBVqRHbnN0IohroSNW9lsiYMcfNZHPkyeCbhjHQGh7gla5MkVaD64Ivpx6QUWckeVPQNyENFqV7BIgARQkqcr13OX8_F9rSOPYjtEQ8cVJHdWmuqdKJ6K3vUd04YT/s320/pic24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Before gluing the ribs to the blocks, wax is put on the edges of the mold where the ribs will be touching. This is just to keep the ribs from sticking to the mold in case a little glue gets in between the ribs and the edge of the mold. The only place the ribs are glued is where they attach to the blocks. They hold their shape because the step clamp puts pressure on them until the glue dries. Violin making uses granular hide glue that is melted in a pot because of its superior strength and bonding with wood. It is actually stronger than wood glues and other specialty glues, and it will release under heat so that repairs can be made later on without damaging the wood of the instrument. It is not okay to use liquid hide glue that comes in a bottle for construction and repair work because what is added to the glue to keep it in a liquid state in the bottle weakens the glue and it won't hold under pressure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe5MdjYR0sIrktNY2i1kKQD8VYzRi3_tK-Rz0LCgv2ylcTuZfWAtjwFIcqPeSUF9E80h-l5Chr632Y6BuY65uExRASipeCRQEGyv3760r_hv-UH5f8TBE8nYZNNlCS0mVhk0TT22sLMpX/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe5MdjYR0sIrktNY2i1kKQD8VYzRi3_tK-Rz0LCgv2ylcTuZfWAtjwFIcqPeSUF9E80h-l5Chr632Y6BuY65uExRASipeCRQEGyv3760r_hv-UH5f8TBE8nYZNNlCS0mVhk0TT22sLMpX/s320/pic3.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDfGExtYWRTm3RGJat35V1_ogbfV8lnGsJBhxyJ8Mh0w8MzYSqkRaBZEFF00FbezGMxOqyKQPV0XfZuvsKsEBLSfFway4oK3mGi7HgyYM4E7upAoXVcUSMtBx6oTfaeDv0rG5mtlUcUld/s1600/pic12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDfGExtYWRTm3RGJat35V1_ogbfV8lnGsJBhxyJ8Mh0w8MzYSqkRaBZEFF00FbezGMxOqyKQPV0XfZuvsKsEBLSfFway4oK3mGi7HgyYM4E7upAoXVcUSMtBx6oTfaeDv0rG5mtlUcUld/s320/pic12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nVVnXJrCl4BiFxL96gppK7HGP4n60PExi3bNsEfGA72fu9V1r9KrEyqeLN2RWDzyRSouZ6CHg92Ya4UODdUozCYyDrfmN33OquRiz4K5tDTpP4LIA5X6hO_lJYCZW30KHUojLVX4yZY-/s1600/pic23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nVVnXJrCl4BiFxL96gppK7HGP4n60PExi3bNsEfGA72fu9V1r9KrEyqeLN2RWDzyRSouZ6CHg92Ya4UODdUozCYyDrfmN33OquRiz4K5tDTpP4LIA5X6hO_lJYCZW30KHUojLVX4yZY-/s320/pic23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After sitting overnight, I removed the clamps and here is what it looks like!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRu4F87hzLioLO5mgpewElYjWugdOwLLBqnfVKdUS7PeG3-Viidz7fZ_BvBPVh6t5QyfdyFSuTzPACgE0YyyyvkyeymU1LtuNRhq56OWIrxd2KpzCv55cNYB52fexRmxymYFOStelc_PL/s1600/pic6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRu4F87hzLioLO5mgpewElYjWugdOwLLBqnfVKdUS7PeG3-Viidz7fZ_BvBPVh6t5QyfdyFSuTzPACgE0YyyyvkyeymU1LtuNRhq56OWIrxd2KpzCv55cNYB52fexRmxymYFOStelc_PL/s320/pic6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMNgNLZ75thmEBZkwDHHg2L1c1K1ChFU3MUMJrGQEycSFlisNBOh8i6ZF0ckkMbmoBj3Hves_xPb0hzBYHUHGA3RrBVjlcmMKHaiq-B8wFr-OrbRv6Tr81A0NaEiCU3Azi1UMS-IVvOu_/s1600/pic25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMNgNLZ75thmEBZkwDHHg2L1c1K1ChFU3MUMJrGQEycSFlisNBOh8i6ZF0ckkMbmoBj3Hves_xPb0hzBYHUHGA3RrBVjlcmMKHaiq-B8wFr-OrbRv6Tr81A0NaEiCU3Azi1UMS-IVvOu_/s320/pic25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-63813054167834615092019-11-23T18:04:00.001-06:002019-11-23T18:04:22.956-06:00Making a Fiddle - My Day 3Now this day was definitely full! It took a long time to make all the blocks. They all have to be perfectly square on all sides, and they have to be exact heights in millimeters and tenths of millimeters. I used a caliper to help me with the measurements because my rulers only go to millimeters.<br />
<br />
The first thing I did was mark where I would cut out the blocks from the piece of spruce I had. The grain of the wood has to go a certain direction at an angle. This makes the blocks stronger. I used a band saw to cut out the blocks. The spruce I was working with was very thick, and I got a little too aggressive with a corner turn and popped the band saw blade off right away! Woops! At least I didn't break anything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIorj3nfmVtysdQTt43JY17hsfTvuCi9cesRAVEwJvZPp04IX23vWTfuo3id0kGmfYkvfFm-scqvTLnTDQOJzmEETM6hH_0AczrzLsMpWuuXbeOSShyphenhyphens_I1tED-ywnbMb2WguN38ClU93v/s1600/cut+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIorj3nfmVtysdQTt43JY17hsfTvuCi9cesRAVEwJvZPp04IX23vWTfuo3id0kGmfYkvfFm-scqvTLnTDQOJzmEETM6hH_0AczrzLsMpWuuXbeOSShyphenhyphens_I1tED-ywnbMb2WguN38ClU93v/s320/cut+blocks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After I cut out the blocks, I had to plane all the corners to the exact height and make them all perfectly square on all corners. Because I have bad hands right now, I am unable to use a hand plane for this step. I leveled the disk on my belt sander using a small square, and then I used the disk sander to sand the blocks to the correct measurements. That is unbelievably difficult to accomplish because there is not a square side at all when you first cut out the blocks, and once one side is square, you can't tilt the block even a tiny bit or you'll throw off the squareness on a different corner. I was dealing with measurements of 31.2 mm and 31.8 mm, so I had to be very careful when I got close to the correct measurement. One block broke when I got it close, so I had to do that one over. <br />
<br />
After all the blocks were cut out, sanded to the correct measurements and squared, I glued them to the mold. The mold has to be 7 mm above a perfectly flat surface for this step. I used a piece of thick safety glass with two wooden risers that are exactly 7 mm in height. I placed the mold on top of the wooden risers. Here is what it looks like now. You can see in one of these pictures how the metal template fits on the steel pins and over the top of the mold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwIThtrAw-VXJ6L_W6Icldekh1WuiVwnmW4bS_gMPGz5dOPXfIoahtx2nda4CeFoASi1JpgnhoagGxLhfbqkc_0aq9ulTriH5VS1UmgsgL76auhVEz5iGwb5z7H6KIIKygLIv4PVlfRZD/s1600/mold+and+template+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwIThtrAw-VXJ6L_W6Icldekh1WuiVwnmW4bS_gMPGz5dOPXfIoahtx2nda4CeFoASi1JpgnhoagGxLhfbqkc_0aq9ulTriH5VS1UmgsgL76auhVEz5iGwb5z7H6KIIKygLIv4PVlfRZD/s320/mold+and+template+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr5V8jCPHyg0Bf00hQaTy4tLgPYlkv96fzYekZ7p-i8THJ0j0yLO6wgYRSrx3mSxaRGbpIM6Z_AxvBRuMTZWTqSxkaCIAO7EWKEU7kWDiOkg8wxCUqYzfet2EjxLtXhzc331bYkZyuqAb/s1600/mold+template+caliper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr5V8jCPHyg0Bf00hQaTy4tLgPYlkv96fzYekZ7p-i8THJ0j0yLO6wgYRSrx3mSxaRGbpIM6Z_AxvBRuMTZWTqSxkaCIAO7EWKEU7kWDiOkg8wxCUqYzfet2EjxLtXhzc331bYkZyuqAb/s320/mold+template+caliper.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-47616510974981656062019-11-23T17:15:00.000-06:002019-11-23T18:04:44.627-06:00Making a Fiddle - My Day 2For this work, I needed a drill press...which I didn't have. So I took a trip over to Greg's Violin Shop to use his drill press. I marked the eight areas on the mold where I would drill large holes. These holes are used to help clamp the ribs in the next step.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uwQwmaZBR8niJHCfLUaLpEpV47ZL8Xz2OjHAO-AoofNyX8mCMMr2c4v1UXZbDlsn2zoF3lwQsGdzx_ptWxUEFRuRqP_Uiv5Ge0nqT4vdWK_Z4rCZsg2Nv6o-4K9CqscKFVfLbidm9iOm/s1600/drill+holes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uwQwmaZBR8niJHCfLUaLpEpV47ZL8Xz2OjHAO-AoofNyX8mCMMr2c4v1UXZbDlsn2zoF3lwQsGdzx_ptWxUEFRuRqP_Uiv5Ge0nqT4vdWK_Z4rCZsg2Nv6o-4K9CqscKFVfLbidm9iOm/s320/drill+holes.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-20275220790430120362019-11-23T17:10:00.002-06:002019-11-23T17:10:20.069-06:00Making a Fiddle - My Day 1My newest endeavor is to make my own fiddle! This is a very special thing to me not just because I play fiddle and I have been repairing fiddles for over 15 years, but also because I consider it a family tradition. My dad's father made fiddles. I am very thankful for Gregory Krone, violin maker in New Haven, Missouri, for sharing his time, skill and many other things to make it possible for me to make my own fiddle.<br />
<br />
Some things Greg provided me with, such as the mold and template that I am using to build my fiddle. The metal template is copied from a paper pattern and then cut out with a jeweler's saw. The mold is also copied from a paper pattern, but it is cut out of plywood. You need both the mold and the template to build a fiddle.<br />
<br />
For me, the first step was to mark on the mold where I would saw out the areas where the blocks would be glued. I have a booklet of information from Greg's violin making school that I am using to get my measurements. Everything is very precise! I also had to mark the center of the mold. You can see two small holes drilled in the mold in my pictures. There are steel pins that fit into those holes, and the template fits over those two steel pins to keep it perfectly in the correct place. (I failed to get a picture of that before I started working on it.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupwnPz4PI2MN5q6KYeiqshXSAgeZE-fUGTM9mHA0H9AN_CxobIzd2QMH74zciatMadQ4wGrKichprA6U1y4HRy2GOSovyzrbs5nmJ8595s6Ox9NZJ7nx9EcARUSkr7cEhjnsrH77lVdHI/s1600/marking+mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupwnPz4PI2MN5q6KYeiqshXSAgeZE-fUGTM9mHA0H9AN_CxobIzd2QMH74zciatMadQ4wGrKichprA6U1y4HRy2GOSovyzrbs5nmJ8595s6Ox9NZJ7nx9EcARUSkr7cEhjnsrH77lVdHI/s320/marking+mold.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9wu6qhYHEFLQj5OQ5o3SAF5bRLTIs1BYNj_MOBKwlcRQs5_zJ_uNYfqasVxZV-bbywMUis_Kr-BbPLPYSPIiosLNr_onri7TajJPUmlPkcOY3UkUKRa5YMlIDeg-0AeUQqETF8QuJYju/s1600/mold2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9wu6qhYHEFLQj5OQ5o3SAF5bRLTIs1BYNj_MOBKwlcRQs5_zJ_uNYfqasVxZV-bbywMUis_Kr-BbPLPYSPIiosLNr_onri7TajJPUmlPkcOY3UkUKRa5YMlIDeg-0AeUQqETF8QuJYju/s320/mold2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNUAUTWvzDngFX50GJ8eanqy2lxqTTHXMTOOQG5nQySdrBYKLZOTYMMSpx8L8jaBD8q2YWq1-lfVY_pi_hJwTnrHITOHA478UifbndLBplQThyphenhyphen6d0jXrwVGqscKJjngDo6t_UCtFzmpOl/s1600/wooden+mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNUAUTWvzDngFX50GJ8eanqy2lxqTTHXMTOOQG5nQySdrBYKLZOTYMMSpx8L8jaBD8q2YWq1-lfVY_pi_hJwTnrHITOHA478UifbndLBplQThyphenhyphen6d0jXrwVGqscKJjngDo6t_UCtFzmpOl/s320/wooden+mold.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After I marked the corner block areas, I drilled tiny holes in the corners of the areas I was going to cut out. Since the mold will not actually be part of the fiddle, but the blocks have to be glued to the mold temporarily, these small holes make it easier to dislocate the blocks from the mold. The blocks will be glued to ribs and will actually be part of the fiddle. I used the band saw to cut out the areas I marked for the blocks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVSpgXvXlz9KHzfh3cybyG6zEQdPhp7Lb86CYnhmfjFAX9kuTGEkIBSZOSDYH0LiSpNTEzjfXKPmI6TF3EgHfsTClBUSBzLx-lq1YCHD8_EiLjinbmxclb1nEGiUqSPT138dlFxmDGJ-1/s1600/drilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVSpgXvXlz9KHzfh3cybyG6zEQdPhp7Lb86CYnhmfjFAX9kuTGEkIBSZOSDYH0LiSpNTEzjfXKPmI6TF3EgHfsTClBUSBzLx-lq1YCHD8_EiLjinbmxclb1nEGiUqSPT138dlFxmDGJ-1/s320/drilling.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFs1HqCpMFIYbLpF1mLfiAFcTLUFsIy2hp8JlNsQ0VdgLAIDUXvEjzqltoo65oe03wN-y0BiZl4O2ZPJhemb-4RdNCCMXTezWvvYt9k3eBmWyBKfQyhKQX61Dp7pE6RoqdLYZyvH-2MNQ/s1600/sawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFs1HqCpMFIYbLpF1mLfiAFcTLUFsIy2hp8JlNsQ0VdgLAIDUXvEjzqltoo65oe03wN-y0BiZl4O2ZPJhemb-4RdNCCMXTezWvvYt9k3eBmWyBKfQyhKQX61Dp7pE6RoqdLYZyvH-2MNQ/s320/sawing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
If all of this doesn't make sense yet, it will as I continue to post my progress! Here is a picture of all the work I completed on my first day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc24k9couZWFDQ0vzDg30O5ir3ZRC_Hx_th8O3_AV4sexWbyRcaOMx97aM3f2HNTyfuaXrYFn6jvja1U2IhCIUB3cm92waeljWGNhWhKeqyj0nt9Z0dXPE4yRxGrBQ9-mJlOlWj3JiG3im/s1600/mold+with+cutouts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc24k9couZWFDQ0vzDg30O5ir3ZRC_Hx_th8O3_AV4sexWbyRcaOMx97aM3f2HNTyfuaXrYFn6jvja1U2IhCIUB3cm92waeljWGNhWhKeqyj0nt9Z0dXPE4yRxGrBQ9-mJlOlWj3JiG3im/s320/mold+with+cutouts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more!<br />
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-53800015588816809092019-03-08T08:38:00.001-06:002019-03-08T08:42:59.392-06:00Ukulele - The "Yes You Can" Instrument!Don't think you can play a musical instrument? Wanting something that is easy to play, flexible, and capable of many different genres? You definitely need to check out the ukulele!<br />
<br />
As Nikki and I get ready to teach our ukulele class on Saturday, I find myself answering questions about the ukulele on an almost daily basis. The ukulele is popular right now, but many people don't know anything about it. I am constantly reminded, each and every time I teach one of these workshops, how the ukulele is made for practically every genre of music and every age of player. The ukulele is definitely an adaptable and easy to play instrument!<br />
<br />
How do I know it is easy to learn? I have taught group lessons at nursing homes and retirement centers for people who have never played before. If they can learn in one lesson in a group, you can learn, too! I'm not saying everyone will be a ukulele prodigy, but if you want to have fun and play a little, the ukulele is a great choice!<br />
<br />
The ukulele is the right size. It comes in four different sizes, to be exact! They are, from smallest to largest: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. So, it doesn't matter if you are five years old or 75 years old, there is a size that will fit your hands!<br />
<br />
The ukulele is very portable. You can take it backpacking, play it in the car, put it under the seat or in the overhead bin of an airplane, or hang it on the wall in your apartment!<br />
<br />
If you are looking for something affordable, look no further! As of the time I am writing this, you can get a decent, very playable ukulele of any size for between $40 and $100.<br />
<br />
The ukulele only has four strings, so chord shapes are easier to make and you don't have to stretch so far to get them. And since the strings are nylon and the string spacing is wider, it is easier on the fingers than a guitar. If your fingers are older and a little stiff, the ukulele is still probably do-able for you.<br />
<br />
And ukulele has several chords that can be made with just one finger! With a one-fingered C chord and a one-fingered F chord, a person can play an unbelievable number of two-chord songs! Here are just a few: Skip to My Lou, Jambalaya, Take Me Back to Tulsa, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Born in the USA, Achy Breaky Heart, This Old Man, and many more!<br />
<br />
Need something quiet? Don't want to disturb the neighbors or fellow housemates? The ukulele is a very quiet instrument. Need to make it louder? You can get an acoustic/electric ukulele, or fit the one you have with a transducer and plug it into an amplifier! There are small, portable amplifiers that run on a battery and fit on your belt. You really can take a ukulele anywhere, acoustic or electric!<br />
<br />
You can get a different variety of sounds with a ukulele, too. If you prefer something very mellow, you would probably prefer the largest of the sizes -- the baritone ukulele. It is tuned just like the first four strings of a guitar, but the nylon strings give it a softer, warmer tone quality. If you like twangy, you can get a banjo ukulele! These come in different sizes as well, and you will get a very different sound out of a banjo ukulele because of the banjo head.<br />
<br />
Already know how to play a guitar? Wanting to learn guitar? The ukulele is the perfect instrument for you! The baritone ukulele, since it is tuned like the first four strings of a guitar, has the same chord names and same shapes as the guitar -- just fewer strings. It is easy to go back and forth between these two instruments, and the learning curve is much less. The other three sizes -- the soprano, concert and tenor sizes -- have the same chord shapes but different names for the chords due to the different tuning. This still makes it easy to go back and forth between the guitar and the ukulele because all you have to do is learn the new name for the chord...you already know the shape!<br />
<br />
So go pick up a ukulele! Give a ukulele as a gift! Sign up for lessons or a workshop, or take a look on YouTube! This is definitely the "Yes, I can" instrument!<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-40552052729495011232019-02-26T12:08:00.001-06:002019-02-26T12:21:25.254-06:00The Paid GigThere is certainly a lot of controversy surrounding musicians and bands getting paid for their performances. Bluegrass music isn't known for its life-supporting income. And many who would like to have paid, or better paying gigs, aren't really looking for something to solely support their life.<br />
<br />
On the pro side of receiving more compensation for play, musicians spend a lot of money on instruments, equipment, travel (including gas money, food, wear and tear on vehicles, campers, etc.), lessons, strings, picks, and the list goes on and on. They spend hours practicing, honing their skills individually and as a group.<br />
<br />
But how many of these musicians and bands spend the same amount of time learning how to properly promote themselves? They expect great music to give them great pay. There are hundreds (and probably thousands) of really great musicians in Nashville that never make it. They play for free or for tips. For some, that may be all they want. But for most, they would like more.<br />
<br />
Great music does not necessarily equal really great pay. Really great entertainment is where better pay starts to come into play. You need something that makes people want to come see your "live" show. If your audience wanted perfect music, they would pop in a CD or play an mp3. They want something that puts them on the edge of their seats and makes them laugh, sing along, listen more closely, or simply takes them away from the daily grind. Take a look at all the shows in places like Branson. Why do people attend these? It's not because it's the best music they have ever heard. It's because they are being entertained! Sure, the music is good. Some of it is even outstanding! But it's way more than that.<br />
<br />
I have taught many students and many young bands. I even help form young bands from my students so that they can learn to play with others. In my opinion, that is even better than a jam because students meet with the same people regularly. This allows them to play with others that are close to them in skill and age. They develop friendship and a sense of responsibility. I can teach them non-verbal skills and music etiquette, in addition to harmony, lead, backup, kickoffs, tags, and so on. Who will I agree to teach as a band? First of all, it has to be students that practice and are reliable. (Notice I didn't say my "best" playing or most talented students; however, practice and reliability many times does make them the best or better than average.)<br />
<br />
What is the next most important thing to me? It is everyone's consent to play locally for charitable causes. That means playing at churches, nursing homes, and local events. Why do I require that? Because it teaches young musicians how important it is to support those in their own communities. It gives them valuable gigs where they can learn to connect with their audience. It shows them that playing music is not just about being "good." They begin to realize that mistakes happen no matter how well prepared they are. They understand that there will always be someone better, but that they have to be the best they can be each time they go out. It's not important to be the best. It is more important to be prepared and give your personal best. It shows commitment. It teaches serving others with the talent that God gave you.<br />
<br />
As I teach these young bands, most of them, regardless of how "good" they become, don't really want to take it to the next level. Most probably wouldn't be looking to make this a lifetime career. That's okay. Over the years, I have taught several groups that were exceptional. This is what I've learned...<br />
<br />
To get good paying gigs, you have to be good at promoting. That means getting the word out about your gigs. People can't come to gigs that they don't know about. If you are hired by a festival or event, don't just expect the festival or event to promote you. They don't know your specific audience. They may be promoting you through the musical genre, such as "bluegrass," but they don't know who your local followers are. Do you even have local followers? If not, you have missed out on the first important point of playing locally! If you can't connect to your local audience, you won't have a cost effective way of playing all those free gigs that all musicians must play.<br />
<br />
A subpoint on all of this is that your free gigs need to be your local gigs if you don't want to go broke "getting good experience." They don't require you to spend lots of money on travel. No excessive mileage on the car. No expensive hotel rooms. I'm not saying never play for free unless it's local. I'm just saying that's where the majority of your free gigs should be. If you are not drawing an audience, you are not doing something right.<br />
<br />
Another thing I've learned in all of this is that the bands that get the following have parents and members that get the word out. They all work together to help the band get gigs. They work together to post on the Facebook page. That means pictures as well. They network. Each family has the potential to bring all their family and friends together to help support the group. They get business cards and t-shirts. They make flyers for their gigs. They make out set lists and practice them before gigs. This list literally goes on and on, but the most important part of this is that they make their audience feel good! It boils down to connecting with those they are playing for. Period.<br />
<br />
And while I am on that topic, I will also say this about fundraising electronically for band recordings or CDs. I don't support Go Fund Me for recordings. Why? Because if you can't pay for your recording, you aren't connecting with your audience. You don't have the amount of support needed to sell a recording. I don't agree with the idea that you need the recording first to promote yourself. Maybe you need that for professional promotion or larger gigs, but I still believe local support comes first and foremost. Am I saying a group shouldn't record if they don't have a certain amount of followers? No! I am just saying asking for free money for that endeavor is like saying you don't think you are good enough to recoup your money. Or that you don't want to work hard enough to figure out what you need for dedicated followers. Record all you want, but let that be part of your learning experience. Book local gigs that pay a little and save that money for that purpose. Learn to connect with your audience. Learn to promote yourself. Don't expect handouts. You may get them from time to time, but don't count on them.<br />
<br />
What else does a band need? They need to have smooth presentations. The show needs to flow. Musicians need to be able to tune quickly in between songs. They need to play songs appropriate for their venue and audience. Jokes need to be appropriate for the venue and audience. Talk to your audience. Look at them when you play. Look like you are having fun! You don't have to plaster a smile on your face for an hour while you play, but you do need to look pleasant and "into" what you are doing. You do need to include your audience in your concert. (And smiling does help!)<br />
<br />
I know I have only skimmed the surface of this controversial subject. I don't purport to know it all or have all the solutions. I just want to share with you some of what I've learned over the years in working with young groups. I understand all of this doesn't apply to every musician or every group, as specific genres, areas where people live, and individual sets of circumstances may make some or all of what I've said void.<br />
<br />
So in summing this all up, I DO believe musicians should be paid for what they do, but I also believe that they need to do the work required to get them to that point. If you can't draw a crowd, the venue can't afford to hire you. It's that simple.<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-90646735651708296032019-02-20T09:33:00.002-06:002019-02-20T09:48:59.770-06:00Memorization - Inspiration and How-To'sFor many, just hearing the words "memorize" makes the brain grow fuzzy, and all the past failures come into mind. You immediately remind yourself that you can't. You are too old. Your memory is too bad. You tried it before and you failed. Before you go into the mode where everything "goes in one ear and out the other," let me tell you about a former student of mine. I will preface his story with this...<br />
<br />
I don't believe that everyone with certain types of dementia or Alzheimer's can overcome memory issues, but this particular student of mine was an Alzheimer's patient that started to play banjo because of his diagnosis. He told me in the very beginning. He also told me how he had failed at clarinet and piano as a child. His music teacher told him he would never play any musical instrument. At the time, he was my oldest student at 76 years old. He told me he did not believe he could memorize anything because of his diagnosis. I asked him to try anyway. He memorized 18 songs over the course of two years. He could play all of his songs with accompaniment. What that did for him no doctor could ever do for him. It didn't cure him, but it gave him such confidence that he could do something <i>despite</i> the overwhelming odds against him. And on one of the hardest instruments he could ever have chosen.<br />
<br />
So how was he able to do this? How does anyone that has trouble with memorization overcome this problem? To start with, you really need to quiet those inner voices telling you that you can't. Just keep telling yourself you will try. Every day. Every time you practice.<br />
<br />
As a teacher, when I get a student that comes in week after week with their tab or music on the stand, I start by helping them memorize the song during their lesson with me. I don't allow them to use the tab or music. They hate this and resist! But I have them do it anyway. I start by having them play as much as they can without the music. If they can't even get started, I help them get started. If they still can't play any of the song, I will teach them note for note whatever they have been working on. We might do four notes, eight notes, or even the first line. It really depends on the student and what they are able to remember. What I am doing is showing them HOW to do this at home.<br />
<br />
<b>Start with just a few notes, one measure, or one line. </b> Remembering the first note is a start! Can you remember the first four notes? Great! Can you remember the first four notes 10 minutes from now? If not, look at them again. Can you remember the first four notes tomorrow? If not, look at them again.<br />
<br />
<b>Break old habits. </b>What I mean by this is if you have been using tabs or music for a while to play all your songs, it will be difficult for you to give this up because you might be able to play 10 or 20 songs as long as you have music. And memorizing 10-20 songs is overwhelming if you think you can't memorize even one! Plus, you CAN play with the music. So what habit is there to break? The habit of using the tab or music for a crutch. You have two option at this point. The first is to immediately stop learning new songs until you can memorize all the ones you are currently working on. The second option is to only learn new songs with a new method. This new method is...<br />
<br />
<b>Learn only as much of the song as you can memorize. </b> If you can only memorize the first four notes, stop there! Don't throw the piece of tab or music up on your stand and read all the way through it over and over. That has already proven unsuccessful for you! Why would you keep doing that?<br />
<br />
<b>Keep coming back to whatever it is that you are memorizing.</b> If you are working on part of a song, whether it is the beginning or some spot in the middle or end that you can't seem to get in your head, keep going back to it during your practice session. Let's say you have four songs you are working on. Start on the one you are working towards memorizing. After you get part of it memorized, even if it's just four notes, go on to something else. Work on that for 5-10 minutes or whatever time you deem necessary, then to back to the first song and see if you can remember those four notes without looking. If you can't, look at them again. Memorize them again. Now go on to your second song. Work on it for a while and return to those four notes you previously memorized. Can you remember them? If not, look at them again and memorize them again. Do this over and over. Every practice session.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep your practice sessions short, but frequent.</b> Many people don't have an hour or two at a stretch to devote to practice. You have laundry to do, car repairs, children to attend to, phone calls to make, emails to answer, dinner, a spouse or friend that needs attention, etc. That's okay. In fact, that's best when you are memorizing! Maybe you only have five minutes at a time to devote, but you can do that three times during the day. Each time, try for those four notes without looking! Eventually, you will get them down.<br />
<br />
<b>Practice more days.</b> This goes with the one above about keeping your practice sessions short. You will get much more accomplished by practicing five days a week for 15 minutes than you will by practicing two hours in one day once a week. Once again, it's not about a huge block of time devoted to practice. It's about <i>how often</i> you practice.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep your instrument handy.</b> This is a BIG one. If you have to go get your instrument, take it out of the gigbag or case, get your picks, your tuner, your strap, your bow, or whatever else you need, that takes time. If you don't have much time, you won't do it. If you don't have much motivation, you won't do it! Keep your instrument out on a stand. It can be in the living room, the kitchen, your bedroom, or where ever it is most handy. If you can't keep it on a floor stand, get a wall hanger. This allows you to play for a few minutes at a time on a moment's notice. On hold on the telephone? Put it on speaker mode and pick up your instrument! Waiting for the biscuits to brown or water to boil? Pick up your instrument and play a few notes!<br />
<br />
<b>What moments can you "cash in" on?</b> Besides being on hold or taking advantage of wait times while cooking, you can also use these moments:<br />
* Mute the television during commercials and pick while you are waiting.<br />
* Listen to the tunes you are working on while in the car or doing things that DON'T allow you to stop and pick a few minutes.<br />
* Waiting for someone to finish getting ready? Use those few minutes (or more) to pick a little.<br />
* Have you been working on homework for a long time? A report? Just finished making lots of phone calls? Stop for five minutes and pick a tune.<br />
<br />
<b>Don't stop.</b> Once you get those first four notes or that first line memorized, don't stop there. Add to it. Add the next four notes, or the next line to what you already have memorized.<br />
<br />
<b>Got a good ear? </b>Here's an interesting one. Maybe your problem isn't that you can't memorize, but that you can't memorize once you have the music. Record yourself playing the piece from music. Those of you that have a good ear may now use that recording to learn the piece without looking at the music.<br />
<br />
<b>Practice with a recording.</b> This is a very important part of practice regardless of whether you have issues with memorization! Playing with a good recording, especially one that includes accompaniment, will make and keep your rhythm accurate. It will also remind you that you have forgotten something if you skip notes or make other mistakes in the music. Part of memorizing is the inevitable changing something as you go along. You think you have it memorized, but you change something without even knowing you did! If you are playing with a recording, it will be obvious. This will allow you to go back and fix whatever it is before too much time passes. It also forces you to stay at one speed. You won't be able to stop when your memory fails. You will learn how to recover and keep going.<br />
<br />
<b>Listen. </b> Often. I mentioned this above very briefly in the "cash in" moments, but this is so important, it deserves a paragraph of its own! If you don't know what the song sounds like, how can you possibly memorize it? How would you even know you had it memorized? This is particularly true if you are playing your song very slowly. It doesn't sound like the song. Listen to a recording of the song played very slowly so you know what you are supposed to sound like when you play it very slowly. Put the song on your phone or on a CD and listen to it in the car, while you are waiting in the doctor's office (with your earbuds, of course), while you are changing the oil in your car, while you are getting ready in the morning...or evening, etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Recognize repeating sections of repeating licks.</b> This is also a very important one. You may look at a song and it seems overwhelming because it is LONG. Look more closely at the song. You will probably start to see parts of the song that are the same. Or parts of the song that you already know from memorizing another song! Maybe you recognize a certain lick or pattern of notes. Great! These are the parts that you won't have to memorize again!<br />
<br />
<b>Celebrate your victories and don't compare yourself to others.</b> Some people memorize quickly. Some don't. No matter how you start, it will get easier and you will get faster and better at it. You will also notice that you start to remember other things better, too. It will improve every aspect of your life. You won't lose your car keys as much. You will remember what you had for dinner last night. Maybe you will even remember your anniversary! But seriously, don't compare your ability or lack of ability to memorize with someone else's. You are an individual with your own set of struggles, life issues, health issues, job issues, and so forth. To compare yourself to someone else is setting yourself up for failure or false hope. It doesn't matter how long it takes you. It matters that you are trying.<br />
<br />
I know this has been long, but I think it is important. I hope that you will be inspired to memorize. I hope you won't give up. I hope you will speak words of encouragement to yourself that you CAN do it. I hope you remember that<i> I believe in you!</i>Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-16611612087362088052019-02-12T14:40:00.004-06:002019-02-12T14:53:59.475-06:00Why Memorize?I have played a variety of different instruments and a variety of different styles of music, but none seem to rely on memorization as much as bluegrass or folk music. These two styles (and there are certainly more) lend themselves to playing in groups with others <b><i>by ear</i></b>. This means that you must be able to memorize songs. I will write another blog about HOW to memorize for those of you that find it difficult, but for now, I want to tell you WHY it's important.<br />
<br />
<b>It helps to develop your ear. </b> I realize some people are visual learners and some are auditory learners. If you are a visual learner, you may find memorization harder in the beginning, but you CAN do it. I teach it. I see my students learn to do it. Even those that think they can't. When you memorize, you start using your ears. You listen more intently and you start to memorize by sound rather than by rote finger positions.<br />
<br />
As your ear develops, <b>you begin to hear chord changes</b>. I love when my students tell me they have started to hear where chord changes are. This usually starts after my students start playing in small groups or jams. At first, they can't tell at all where any chord changes are. They can't anticipate anything. Then, they start to hear where the changes are in certain songs. They stop counting and start listening to the song. After a while, they are even able to anticipate chord changes in songs they don't know. They may not know what chord to change to, but they hear where it happens. After a while, some students are even able to anticipate what the chord changes are. (There are "formulas" for which chords will most often appear in any given key, but I am referring to actually hearing the correct chord as the music progresses.)<br />
<br />
As your ear develops, <b>you begin to recognize certain patterns of notes</b>. I believe this is most true for Scruggs style banjo players. That is because Scruggs style banjo playing is not note driven. It is lick driven. Individual notes aren't the main thing that happens. Individual notes become part of rolls and various licks. Even a beginning banjo player will learn to recognize something like the "G Lick" pretty quickly when listening to banjo picking. Can you recognize a simple scale? Most people can. You might not know WHAT scale, but you can tell it's a scale. And you can tell if a wrong note is played in a scale. That is because your ear has learned to recognize the pattern of a major scale.<br />
<br />
<b>Your speed will improve </b>because you are not impeded by how quick your eyesight is. Your muscle memory will take over and help you play through passages that you think you have forgotten. How do you know you are using muscle memory? Try to slow down a song you have memorized. I mean REALLY slow it down. Are you still able to play it? Can you remember it? Or do you have to pick up the speed again to get through the song? If you can't play the song slowly but you are still able to play it faster, that means you are using muscle memory. You are no longer thinking about every individual note. The best teachers are able to play using both muscle memory and by thinking about every note. (And this is something I believe all serious players should learn to do...but that's a topic for another day.)<br />
<br />
<b>You will be able to learn new songs faster.</b> This happens not just because your memory gets better as you use it more, but also because you start to know where each sound (or note) is on your instrument. You also start to recognize certain licks or patterns of notes that you have used in other songs. And those you already have memorized! Yay!<br />
<br />
<b>You will be able to play songs in jams "on the fly."</b> One of the questions I get most often is how do I play a song that I have never heard before. People are amazed that I can hear the melody once and then duplicate it (or come close) right away. This actually has a simple answer. By memorizing lots of songs, you start to recognize that many songs have similar melodies or chord patterns. When I hear a new song in a jam, I don't memorize the entire song immediately. I compare the new song to something that I already know, and then I just take note of the differences. So perhaps one song is exactly like another except for one different chord change. For instance, Bluegrass Breakdown and Foggy Mountain Breakdown are alike except BB uses an F chord in the same place that FMB uses an Em chord. For some songs, the melodies sound almost exactly alike and I can simply think of the song I already know in my head when I'm taking my break. For example, Worried Man Blues and Somebody Touched Me. Without a memorized repertoire, you will never have this ability.<br />
<br />
If memorization is something that you just don't think you can do, I would say the odds are that you CAN. I will write my next blog on some different techniques that will help those of you who find this part of learning difficult. In the mean time, start thinking about all the improvements in your playing and musicianship that can be developed by memorizing. Start thinking about where you will be a month from now, six months from now, a year from now... Talent doesn't fall out of the sky on certain people. It is developed by those of us who desire it and work to attain it. YOU can do this!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-56703576013248478712019-01-31T10:19:00.001-06:002019-01-31T10:22:54.824-06:00Why Lessons?With all the free material available online today, you may wonder why anyone would want or need lessons to learn to play a musical instrument. When I was growing up 40 years ago, we had books, recordings and people to learn from. And quite frankly, I miss the interaction with "real live" people. If I was to pick the number one reason to take lessons, I would say that is exactly the reason -- interaction with a person. Conversation that can go two ways. The chance to ask questions, clarify, expound...not to mention the all important feedback!<br />
<br />
I'm not saying that the new materials available aren't useful, because I think they are. I'm going to give you some ideas and thoughts that I hope will improve and speed up your learning.<br />
<br />
YouTube - This is probably one of the great advents of this time! The ability to hear so many different people play and sing songs is a huge learning aid. You hear the different styles, speeds, keys, licks, and everything imaginable. YouTube is a fantastic resource! You don't have to buy or store countless recordings! You can even use settings right on the YouTube video player to slow down or speed up the videos without changing the pitch. What a great way to finally learn some of those elusive licks! Want to learn a new song but can't think of one? Type in "bluegrass banjo" or "Earl Scruggs" and see what pops up! If you are a beginner, your best bet is to pick known artists so you know that the songs are being playing correctly and in time.<br />
<br />
Free Tabs, Chord Charts, and Sheet Music - This is both good and bad. At least with YouTube you can hear it first. I have found much of the free written material to be less than satisfactory. That's not to say it's not useful. This is one of the areas that I pick and choose from. I am fortunate that I can sightread, so I can look at this type of material and figure out if I like it pretty quickly without ever playing it. I like to take ideas from these kinds of materials. Many times the chords on the chord charts are not correct. Sometimes even the words are not correct! Make sure you double-check these types of materials. If you don't have the experience, have someone else look at it to help you.<br />
<br />
Paid Video Lessons or Learning Sites - This is also a new idea. Some of these are very good. And they are a great option to regular lessons if you live in a remote area, or if there is no one near you that teaches lessons. Some of these sites just create videos and some use a combination of videos and tabs to teach you note for note how to play specific songs. Most of these sites allow you to speed up and slow down the audio, which is a great learning tool! A few of these sites, such as Tony Trischka's School of Banjo, even offer the ability for you to upload what you have learned and receive video feedback of what you submitted. This is, in my opinion, the best of options!<br />
<br />
Now what do regular lessons have to offer that these do not? A very personal experience, for starters. Nothing like having a regular teacher to be accountable to, to receive regular feedback from, to encourage you and let you know if you are on the right track or not, to give you a direction and reasonable goals, and to give you information about musical happenings in your area that you would benefit from. A good teacher is your musical friend. A good teacher will give you shortcuts (if there are any), help keep you from developing bad habits and techniques, give you the "why's" behind what you are doing, and tell you how things are done in your area. Believe it or not, tunes can be regional. That means that they are very popular in some states or counties, but not in others. Or even that they are played differently in different areas. This doesn't mean you can't be the one to "enlighten" the other musicians in your area, but if you are newbie looking for others to play with, you will want to pick tunes that others know. At least in the beginning! And picking with others is one of the key ways to get better faster, not to mention how much fun it is! So if you haven't tried regular lessons and you are looking for a way to improve your picking this year, you may want to consider this "old fashioned" option!Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699728028213730808.post-9279958670998774262019-01-14T14:20:00.002-06:002019-01-14T14:20:20.011-06:00Chris' 2019 Private Lesson Schedule<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chris' 2019 Private Lesson Schedule<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris will not be teaching private lessons on the following
dates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please note that group lessons
(workshops, classes) WILL be taught unless it specifically mentions no group
lessons on the date.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 11, 12, 13, 14 (no group lessons)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 4, 5, 6, 7<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 8, 9, 10, 11<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 27, 28, 29, 30 (no group lessons)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June – Lessons all month<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
July 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
August 12, 13, 14, 15<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 16, 17, 18, 19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 21, 22, 23, 24<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November 25, 26, 27, 28 (no group lessons)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
December 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 (no group lessons)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 1, 2019 (no group lessons)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Chris Talleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599208807629780810noreply@blogger.com0