Rob,
I envy you your 5 years of study with Bob Lundberg, and have no quarrel with
his methods to the extent that they are represented in his book. I'm glad to
have the book on my shelves as a cross reference and backup to David van
Edwards' course. I don't regret the "dual expenditure" in having both,
although I probably would have gotten Bob's book later - after my first
completed lute from David's CD.
You make a good point, start cutting wood. David's CD is far more a step by
step instructional than Bob's book - perhaps it is that aspect that makes it
easier to break through that first block of getting started. On the other
hand Bob's book (I just pulled it from my shelves and glanced through it) is
a bit more general, what you call an intellectual approach.
An example - the mold (mould, form). David makes a "skeletal" mold from
MDF - and provides full scale templates for it. Bob builds up his form from
layers of wood (almost as in the transition from the ancient "masada" type
Egyptian tomb to the smoother pyramid) which he then shaves with a draw
knife. David's method is initially easier - but my next mold will be done
Bob's way. In part because I love using a draw knife, and in part because
one of my concerns is fittting the belly segments over the "skeletal" ribs
of David's mold - and that may be my delay in restarting. There is a great
deal more effort involved in matching the skeletal mold ribs than it would
appear in the instructional - it took me months, and I won't be sure I have
it right until I actually make the belly. In fact, come to think of it, I
may consider canning the mold I made from David's instructional and making
one with Bob's method (using David's templates). Not to knock David's
method, I'm sure his skills at shaping the belly over the skeleton mold give
him consistant and excellent results - but perhaps the fully carved form
that Bob uses might instill more confidence in a beginner. The final shape
of the form will be the final shape of the belly, whereas with the skeleton
it will involve some extra skills in the wood bending process.
Sorry for the bit of stream of consciousness, and the picking out of one
detail, but it emphasizes that there is "more than one way to skin a cat"
(and luckily my cat, Lucky, isn't watching me type this - she doesn't like
that analogy). I thank Troy for bringing this up, and Rob and Din for
mentioning the "competing" instructionals. I am ashamed of myself for
chickening out, but I think this will get me back on track - and
particularly as I'll now compare the two approaches at each step and make my
own decisions. I like the thought of redoing my mold, I think I'll be more
comfortable with a solid one.
Best, Jon
To get on or off this list see list information at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
