Fiddle Repair and Anatomy

Saturday 8/1, 8am-noon

An instrument is a structure under tension.

This class introduces the anatomy and basic repair considerations of fiddles and violins. Students will study how components interact acoustically and structurally, and how small adjustments affect performance.

The focus is on understanding, not restoration shortcuts.

You’ll learn to:

Identify key structural components

Understand tension and resonance

Diagnose common issues

Perform basic, non-invasive repairs

Respect traditional construction methods

Who it’s for: Musicians, woodworkers, and instrument enthusiasts.

Dick Wilson is a High Country musician and instrument repairman based in Boone and Lansing. At his store Friends Music in Boone, he spent decades working with instruments and musicians across the region, including playing alongside Doc Watson and Olabelle Reed.

His teaching is rooted in lived experience. Bench work, jam circles, and a deep respect for Appalachian music traditions.