First of all, I have to tell you about this huge mistake that lutherie has become. Indeed, I've never noticed it before, but it's really become unbearable today. It's been a few years now that this evil seems to be creeping up on me, slowly, progressively, making me believe that it's normal. However, it's an aberration and I absolutely must speak out on this burning subject. I hope most of you haven't had to pay the price for what I'm about to say. However, if you have, please be strong, and above all, know that my heart goes out to you.
The huge mistake that "lutherie" has become
First of all, do you really know what lutherie is? It's a discipline that originated with instrument makers as they became increasingly professional in their respective specialties. It's an art at the crossroads of eras, sometimes frozen in time, sometimes looking to the future, often oscillating between the fantastic, the magical and the legendary. However, it remains an art in its own right, a quest for perfection and beauty in perpetual renewal and, paradoxically, of its own foundations. In the process, the luthier becomes a prophet of this vibrant, haunting craft, and ends up dedicating his life, and very often his sanity, to it.
What is the abominable error that plagues "lutherie"?
This has never happened before, but I've noticed something strange lately. In fact, more and more people have considered turning this artistic discipline into something of the most mundane banality. Let me explain:
- Violin making is not a place!
And that's what I wanted to talk to you about from the start of this article. For I felt it my duty to explain to as many of you as possible that lutherie is not a bakery, a butcher's shop, a drugstore, a bookshop or a sheepfold... lutherie is the art practiced by the lutherie maker, not his or her workplace. Indeed, in this case, it's more a question of a lutherie workshop, like a pottery workshop, for example. Are we going to tell the potter that we're going to visit his pottery?
How can we avoid propagating the huge mistake that "lutherie" has become?
It's very simple. All you need to understand is:
- The luthier works in a lutherie workshop.
I wasn't sure, so I asked my friend Robert. I got the impression that he too was heading in that direction.
Things to remember
I admit, it's a trollish article in the sense that it's a bit of an exaggeration. On the other hand, I've really noticed this expression an impressive number of times over the past year. Whereas before 2020, I don't recall ever hearing the term used in this way.
In any case, I imagine the majority will prevail.
But what exactly do you think? What exactly is lutherie to you? A craft, a place or both? Have you ever noticed the use of this expression?
Good morning, Mr Kessler,
If I may say so, although I'm a complete beginner in this field.
To the question:
But what exactly do you think? The mistreatment of lutherie?
I think it needs to evolve. Either through the design of new instruments, or by improving certain measurement processes and vibratory practices to be more precise in cutting, bracing, etc...
There's a lot of work to be done in this field, work that I'm perfectly capable of carrying out and on all the things I've just mentioned... And maybe because I didn't go to violin-making school and I have a different approach...
What exactly does lutherie mean to you?
For me, lutherie, at least that's what it's going to be if I manage to set up my own workshop. I came to this profession through a lot of detours and apprenticeships to be able to set up a music band, but I'm lacking instruments that I'm going to have to design myself.
A job, a place or both?
I'd say all three. Why do you put yourself out there?
First of all, it's a place, a lutherie workshop, like a temple. It's a craft passed on between connoisseurs of knowledge and techniques that can become increasingly complex, like all the crafts in the world. You are the guardian of this knowledge and technique in your workshop, in your temple. You are the link between matter and all its knowledge within your workshop. Without you, musicians, no matter how good they are, can't play if they don't have an instrument properly calibrated, balanced, etc. You are essential to this musical culture. You give them sound. They make music from it...
What nobler profession could there be?
You also say that you're losing your sanity. You've got your head too far down your throat. And so you've lost sight of what's essential, which may explain why you've been "stung to the quick by this type of individual" and why it was necessary for you to create this article. Maybe you need to take some time off. I think it would be beneficial. 15 days minimum. Well, it's not ideal at the moment with this covid. But do a sporting activity that's a complete change of scenery. The Verdon gorges, canoeing, kayaking, rapids at your level, etc... It'll recharge your batteries and put you in situations you're not used to, where you'll get a kick out of it (but it's only water), but it'll do you good...
But, you know, every profession is a little distorted: trumpeters, dancers, drummers, etc...
Have you ever noticed the use of this expression?
I don't think we should focus on these individuals who want to trivialize this profession. It's also part of our society, which wants to pervert everything because you know things that they are incapable of understanding, let alone doing, because the only thing they have is a big hair in their hand and two left hands.
Find out more about the jobs they do and you'll immediately see where the shoe pinches and where laziness dominates.
Take pity on them, because it's the only way they can get down to your level.
After all, why not? I went to the lutherie to watch the master work his wood. Just as you watch the chefs make an exceptional dish of "Noodles" on Top Chef.
Now everyone communicates about their business in their own way. Maybe we'll get there or not. I'm not in favor, especially when it comes to new instruments. Everyone has their secrets, but passing them on is just as important, and it's also a way of reawakening passion and making young people aware of these professions, and creating vocations. After all, instruments deserve to evolve, but the technical level of understanding of how certain instruments work is starting to become mind-boggling, depending on what is being made. And it's necessary to create vocations of happiness in the minds of young people to achieve a good mastery of instrument design.
Sincerely
NG
Hello Mr GAILLON, thank you for your comment. It would be interesting to answer it point by point and to expand on the points you raise.
In this case, however, I was merely pointing out that the word "La Lutherie" had become a way of referring to the place where the luthier worked. It was therefore an opportunity for me to question the use of this name, which I'd never come across before. And maybe I'm wrong, but I haven't found this meaning in dictionaries.
My question was mainly based on this fact.
Hello,
It doesn't matter if the lutherie is a place or a workshop (for us musicians), however it is very important that it is a place that you can visit at will to buy, be advised, try and look. No door should stand in the way of this magical place, which can sometimes be frightening if barriers are put up for non-experts. We become connoisseurs by pushing our curiosity into the Luthier's bakery, where we learn...listen...and taste the instruments with our eyes before touching them. Many turn to the internet because of their lack of experience of lutherie and luthiers... then you have to open the room where the luthier sleeps and works!
The savings I missed out on on the internet I earned thanks to the advice of a luthier, and by trying out violins and bows for weeks on end until I found the right size... and that's priceless!
Violin making is evolving with the times, now and in the future, and this is changing and will continue to change its very definition.
see you soon FRED
Good evening Guillaume
If I attempt a qualification by need I arrive at this:
I need a set of strings for my made-in-China electric cello that I only use for practicing late at night, so I go to the music store that sells bowed string instruments, pick up a set of strings and do it myself.
I need a new set of strings for my acoustic before a quartet concert, so I go into the back store and visit my old friend Paul's workshop:
His method is always the same: play me extracts from the repertoire and ask me what I'm looking for, just to get me involved. In the end, he manages to balance the sound of my Lothar Semmlinger for all the pieces in the repertoire better than a sound engineer could behind a mixing desk. Be careful, though, if you ask him questions, his answers can drive you mad!
so for me
Lutherie = white witchcraft
Luthier = a strange being who has been initiated or has an innate gift, able to understand the language of wood and translate the vibrations of your instrument when you play.
Musically
Excellent responses to this post! I love it!
It's so beautiful to be able to make music on an instrument made by the l'huthier, it's a work of art, like a master painting, their know-how should be exhibited in a museum, wood is a noble material, I go to see my l'huthier for my violin, and it's like going to the Louvre, it's magical, I love it.
Thank you for your excellent testimonial!