Musical Instrument Technology (Bachelor)

Combining traditional handcraftsmanship with modern research approaches, the Department of Musical Instrument Making in Markneukirchen offers students a highly regarded program that finetunes practical skills, deepens theoretical knowledge and encourages experimentation. Well-equipped workshops, an extensive library, a state of the art acoustic testing centre and modern laboratories and seminar rooms are available for our students in our historical art nouveau villa in Markneukirchen.

Through fundamental courses in acoustics, musicology, technical mechanics and materials science as well as design, woodcarving techniques and restoration, the knowledge and skills required to design and produce high-quality, artistic instruments are taught. Projects, discussions and research work encourage students to experiment with and discover new techniques and processes or to study classical models in order to make informed decisions about their own designs. This combination of traditional handcraftsmanship and modern research approaches ensures the program is up-to-date with the changing demands of the profession.

Plucked instrument making

The German and Spanish styled classic guitar models are central to teaching in the Plucked Instrument Making program. In the higher semesters, students also examine the historical plucked instruments in the lute and guitar family.

Stringed instrument making

Violins, violas and violoncellos are the focus of the Stringed Instrument Making program. In the higher semesters, students also study the classical instruments of the Viola-da-bracio or the Viola-da-Gamba family. Modules on bow making and repair and restoring stringed instruments are also offered.