Newark School of Violin Making
RAB Award 2021: Work placement with bow maker and repairer Stephen Thompson
Hanna sent us feedback on her placement:
“I went into this work experience not knowing anything about bows, but being generally interested in them. In three days I saw how an independent bow maker works and gained a basic understanding and feeling for bows. I learned how to rehair a bow properly with some little tricks to adjust the tension of the hair nicely. I rehaired a cello bow and a violin bow and learned how to make a new thumb grip and do a lapping.
As well as learning these basic skills I had advice on how to treat customers, how to find jobs and how to run a business.
Stephen is a kind and patient mentor who explained things as often as needed. I am grateful to the RAB Trust for this experience, as I would not have found Stephen and contacted him for a placement without their help. I now have a mentor who is willing to help with bow questions in the future and I am thankful to Stephen for all his time”.