Songstick Workshops

SongStick music is a program where people construct and learn to play a simple stringed instrument. The confidence and self esteem comes from making their

own instruments. Behind the project lies a great deal of work, making the necessary jigs and patterns, pre cutting the wood and supervising the students’ construction.

Children could be taught and supervised to make their own SongStick. Seniors as

well as physically and mentally handicapped people have also participated in our

workshops, making their own instruments.

The construction of a quality fretted instrument introduces working with wood. These skills can be translated to general woodworking or other instrument making. The initial preparation of the kits is an excellent project for wood working students or adults. 

Children love to sing and dance. However many disadvantaged children don't have the

opportunity to learn to play a stringed instrument or to have music instruction. Recent

studies have shown that music lessons aid developing brains and improve literacy and

academic skills. Music groups increase social skills. 

Many adults have been told as children they have no musical talent. This often inhibits them from learning to play and enjoy music. The SongStick opens adults to music and

demonstrates to them that they can play music.

Students assemble their own song sticks from kits. This involves some sawing, drilling,

planing, clamping, gluing , finishing and inserting the frets and tuning pins. Metal jigs and specialized clamps make this a practical task for beginners. The finished, ready to play instrument can be constructed in just 12 hours.

Members of our Men's Shed learn to make songsticks so we can teach others.