Tasmanian Timber Strings Presents Musical Instrument Makers of the Coast | Avocado
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When Stephen Oram expanded his woodworking efforts to include harp making in 2002, he thought he would be lucky enough to sell one instrument per year. That’s almost all he’s done since. Mr Oram was just one of 14 exhibitors at Tasmanian Timber Strings at Wynyard on Saturday, an instrumental exhibition bringing together musicians from the coast. He said he started making stringed instruments thanks to a friend of his partner who needed an extra pair of hands. “He asked me if I wanted to get into making harps,” Mr. Oram said. “I thought to myself, well, what can there be in Australia for harps?” Maybe I’ll do one or two a year. I haven’t done a lot of furniture since then. “I make about seven or eight harps on average every year,” each experience being unique and time-consuming. He said that as a small manufacturer, shows like this were, to some extent, “normal”, but never lost their charm. “Woodworking in general is kind of a lonely quest, so when you meet other people doing the same thing, you can put your ideas forward and discover new ways of doing things,” Mr. Oram. Exhibition organizer Mary Kille said her goal was to showcase the unique violin making skills available in the area – from handcrafted guitars to kelp violins. “My main goal was to bring them all together, all of the creators,” Ms. Kille said. “And you see it works, because they all want to know how everybody works.” She said the exhibition aims to break down what an instrument really is and how music comes together, from the early stages, but also to bring this musical community together. “Almost everyone here is from the Northwest Coast, but a lot of them have never met before. I’m really, really happy about it, “she said.” I just mixed them up and threw them together. I don’t control them now. “Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date information to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content: Follow us on Google News
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When Stephen Oram expanded his woodworking efforts to include harp making in 2002, he thought he would be lucky enough to sell one instrument per year.
That’s almost all he’s done since.

MAKING MUSIC: Philip Nicholas has been playing music for 56 years, with a preference for Bach. Image: Eve Woodhouse
Mr Oram was just one of 14 exhibitors at Tasmanian Timber Strings at Wynyard on Saturday, an instrumental exhibition bringing together musicians from the coast.
He said he started making stringed instruments thanks to a friend of his partner who needed an extra pair of hands.
“He asked me if I wanted to get into making harps,” Mr. Oram said.
“I was like, well, what can there be in Australia for harps? Maybe I’ll do one or two a year.
“Since then, I haven’t done a lot of furniture.
“I make about seven or eight harps on average every year,” each experience being unique and time-consuming.
He said that as a small manufacturer, shows like this were, to some extent, “normal”, but never lost their charm.
“Woodworking in general is kind of a lonely quest, so when you meet other people doing the same thing, you can put your ideas forward and discover new ways of doing things,” Mr. Oram.
Exhibition organizer Mary Kille said her goal was to showcase the unique violin making skills available in the area – from handcrafted guitars to kelp violins.
“My main goal was to bring them all together, all of the creators,” Ms. Kille said.
“And you see it works, because they all want to know how everybody works.”

HANDMADE: The music exhibit featured instruments made by Coasters. Image: Eve Woodhouse
She said the exhibition aims to break down what an instrument really is and how music comes together, from the early stages, but also to bring this musical community together.
“Almost everyone here is from the Northwest Coast, but many of them have never met before.
“It came together. I’m really, really happy about it,” she said.
“I just mixed them up and threw them together. I don’t control them now.”
Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content: