WORKING PRINCIPLES FOR MY PRACTICE

At the core of my work is a simple approach: detailed, collaborative, and rooted in a lifelong instinct to listen closely – to the material, to the process, and to the people I’m working with. Everything else flows from that.

1. CRAFT BEFORE STATUS

My first responsibility is to sound, playability, and reliability. I am making tools for musicians, not luxury objects for display or speculation.

2. TRADITION AS A RESOURCE

This craft carries centuries of accumulated knowledge. I study it carefully and respectfully. Tradition is a starting point for learning, offering deep insight from generations of makers. I aim to build on that knowledge thoughtfully, guided by skill and understanding, while questioning practices that exclude, obscure, or don’t stand up to scrutiny.

3. SLOWNESS AS RESISTANCE

In a culture of speed and financial abstraction, I choose attention, patience, and care. This craft asks me to think in generations: to work with materials that have grown for centuries, and to shape instruments that may outlive me.

4. THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

I am not committed to tools for their own sake. I will use whatever method best serves accuracy, efficiency, and quality. In violin making, this often means hand tools.

5. COLLABORATION WITH MUSICIANS

Whether making, repairing, or adjusting, my work is in partnership with the player. Listening to the musician matters as much as technical expertise. The instrument exists to support expression, and its voice emerges through shared attention and dialogue.

6. TRANSPARENCY AND PLAIN DEALING

I will be open about process, materials, labour, and pricing. Skill deserves fair compensation, and clients deserve clear communication. I prefer clarity over esotericism, and direct communication over mystique.

7. ACCESS AND WIDENING THE CIRCLE

I recognise that fine string instruments often sit within systems of privilege. Where I have room to act – through education, pricing structures, outreach, or mentorship – I will try to widen access rather than narrow it.

8. INTEGRITY OVER FASHION

I will not chase trends, prestige, or elite approval at the expense of sound workmanship and ethical practice. A steady reputation built on care is enough.

9. WORK THAT FITS THE MAKER

My workshop will support my authentic way of being. I will structure my practice to allow sustained focus and careful attention so that my work reflects both precision and presence.

10. LIFELONG LEARNING

This is a long craft. I expect to remain a student of wood, sound, and music for as long as I work. As my skills and understanding evolve, I will revisit and refine these principles with intention and care.