Musical Instrument Making and Repair

Level 5 QQI Award - Creative Craft 5M1981

Duration

This is a Full time one year course, which runs from September to May.

Overview

Students on this course will be introduced to the fundamentals of making and repairing stringed and fretted musical instruments, both acoustic and electric. Students will make their own musical instrument for example a mandolin or a guitar. They will also learn specialist hand and machine craft skills in order to develop their creative abilities in this area. Students who have an interest in music will find that they can enhance their skills by learning the rudiments of how instruments are made, stringed and generate sound.

See what the class of 2023 made. 

Entry Requirements

One of the following:

  • Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
  • A Full Level 4 QQI/FETAC Award (or equivalent)
  • For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) - appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English require level B1 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules

  • Furniture Making
  • Computer Aided Draughting (2D)
  • Drawing
  • Design Skills
  • Combined Materials
  • Communications
  • Work Experience
  • Veneering and Marquetry
  • Musical Instrument Woodcraft
Module Information

Module Information

Musical Instrument Making and Repair

Level 5 QQI Award: Creative Craft

Course Content (Module Names and Codes)

 

Musical Instrument Woodcraft 5N0567

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to construct a variety of musical instruments. Using a range of materials and techniques, students will be guided in the use of hand and power tools, employing Jigs and traditional methods to construct a musical instrument. 

Assessment: Collection of Work (100%)

 

Furniture Making 5N1275

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to work independently and under supervision in a furniture workshop, to effectively utilise a range of workshop resources and to safely produce items of furniture.

Assessment: Portfolio / Collection of Work (100%).

 

Computer Aided Draughting 5N1604

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to utilise computer technology as a design tool and a presentation media.

Assessment: Project (50%), Portfolio / Collection of Work (50%).

 

Drawing 5N1862

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to use and apply drawing processes and techniques to communicate, interpret and describe solutions to problems, in a variety of ways and appropriate to a range of specialisms.

Assessment: Portfolio / Collection of Work (100%).

 

Design Skills 5N0784

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to understand the strategies inherent in the design process and generate creative responses to design briefs.

Assessment: Project (40%) Portfolio / Collection of Work (60%).

 

Combined Materials 5N0764

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to explore a wide range of media and materials through diverse processes, to enhance skills and foster creative expression.

Assessment: Portfolio / Collection of Work (100%).

 

Communications 5N0690

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to communicate verbally and non-verbally in standard everyday tasks and work-related tasks, operating independently while under general direction.

Assessment: Portfolio / Collection of Work (50%), Skills Demonstration (50%).

 

Work Experience 5N1356

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to participate in the workplace for a limited time, carrying out work-related tasks independently while under general direction.

Assessment: Portfolio / Collection of Work (60%), Skills Demonstration (40%).

Certification

  • Level 5 Award Creative Craft (5M1981)

Special Features

Assessment

The following techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

  • Collection of Work
  • Skills Demonstration
  • Projects

All assignments are submitted electronically.  Therefore all students need access to a device such as a computer/laptop.

A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components.  On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details

Free Autodesk Software Subscription for all students on this course to facilitate assessment work.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, outlook and OneDrive.

Work Experience

Students will be required to undertake a period of work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses.  Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher.  The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours.  Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.

Additional Information

  • DFEi is one of the few colleges in Ireland where one can learn the highly specialist craft of making a musical instrument
  • This is a practical course where learning takes place primarily in workshops, which are stacked with specialist craft tools and commercial equipment
  • This course may include visits to auctions, museums and instrument collections to help build up one's knowledge on the development and history of instruments
  • A Visual Design Exhibition of students' work from this course is held annually in DFEi, in May, providing an opportunity for students to showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Progression Opportunities

DFEi: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Furniture Design and Making at DFEi.

Elsewhere: Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme to a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students' meeting certain criteria.  It is the students' responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and confirm any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

Progression Examples

BA Product Design Innovation (CW728)

Institute of Technology Carlow - www.itcarlow.ie

BSc Furniture Design and Manufacture (GA981)

BSc Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking (GA982)

BSc Furniture Design Making and Technology (GA984), (GA974)

BSc Furniture and Digital Manufacturing (GA983)

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology - www.gmit.ie

Music and Instrument Technology (Higher Certificate) (AL605)

Athlone Institute of Technology - www.ait.ie

BA Popular Music (MT937)

MTU - (formerly Cork Institute of Technology)

Career Paths

Successful completion of this course can lead to employment/self-employment opportunities in Musical Instrument Repair and Technology.

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Accreditations

Shane Desmond

2016 graduate. Now employed with Alan Brown Kitchen Designs.
"I did furniture design and making as part of the course and I also got to make an acoustic guitar this year. I really liked wood work in school so wanted to continue learning. The…

Read More

Shane Desmond

2016 graduate. Now employed with Alan Brown Kitchen Designs.
"I did furniture design and making as part of the course and I also got to make an acoustic guitar this year. I really liked wood work in school so wanted to continue learning. The skills I learned on the course were invaluable. The furniture design has an excellent reputation so my new boss was confident taking me on.  "

Department Head

Dave Nicholson

Dave Nicholson

Thank You

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