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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on November 10, 2015 at 9:03am

I've done many workshops, and plenty for children - my advice is don't get yourself into this unless you are 100% confident that you can deliver. It took me 3 workshops and nearly 80 students before I had got the process to a stage where it was running smoothly, and that was with a lot of assistance.  Gauging the skill level is tricky, and your kit of parts needs to be properly sorted so that you know it will work every time. 

Getting all the stuff that makes it work right and to be  enjoyable is boring but important. Safety is paramount, so choose the tools and processes carefully to ensure that risk of injury is minimised. I do this all the time, and have a risk assessment process, a well established routine, a safety spiel, a liability waiver to sign...plus a first aid kit and a lot of insurance!!  Yes, it's all very boring, serious and grown-up, but if you cover all that, then the activity will be fun, safe and worry free.

It's very flattering to be asked, but make sure you know what you are getting into. If you feel you can rise to the challenge, that's great, but better to be honest and say no rather than bite off more than you can chew. When I did this for the first time (I was asked by a local school) I did a trial build, then did another  trial build with the shop teacher and assistant, refined things a bit..and we still struggled to get the kids to complete the task in the allotted time the first session.

In my view it's absolutely vital that you can demonstrate how to play a simple tune, or take someone along who can play, and more importantly, can teach how to play...that's half the fun of making an instrument for yourself.

I don't want to be negative, I'm only being realistic based on my own experience. It's a great thing to do for youngsters, and hugely satisfying to run this sort of activity. The more organised and confident you are in your own ability to carry it off, the better it will go - definitely a case of "Be Prepared".

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on November 10, 2015 at 9:32am

Thanks for the advise guys! I really appreciate it. All I know about this right now is that it sounds like they already bought cbg kits. Don't know from where, what construction style, or anything. I don't know, but I'm assuming they already have other people helping teach since they asked me after this was already planned. So that makes me feel better. It won't be on my shoulders only. As far as waivers and insurance, I'm sure this is all being handled by Team Mojo and whoever else they are coordinating this with. I have to call the guy to get all the details. I'm very confident in my builds now, but that's nothing compared to teaching one kid let alone a group. Hopefully, I'm just an assistant in this and if so, I consider it a great opportunity and experience. Thanks again guys! This helps me to know what questions to be armed with when I talk to him about it. And yes I agree about being able to play or having someone who can play go with me. I already have someone in mind to ask.....he plays one of my guitars, always has played in bands since he was old enough to cross the street without his mom, and does programs with kids all the time, so he'll be perfect for something like this.

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on November 10, 2015 at 12:57pm

For sure. I definitely want to see them first if I do it.

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Permalink Reply by T-Gripped on November 11, 2015 at 10:56am

You may be interested in viewing this YT vid: it features the Wizard and a middle school teacher who successfully incorporated building CBGs. Very cool. Let us know what transpires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOA3Uak0mGw

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