Experience, authority and tradition in the making and playing of classical guitars: a hermeneutic interpretation

Abstract

English: The making of musical instruments is an ancient human pursuit. However, to a large extent, this art-form has evaded academic and philosophical enquiry. Most of the theoretical work on the subject is illustrative and includes technical or practical approaches. This article links the building of classical guitars, or luthiery, in a South African and global manifestation, with the writings of hermeneutic thinker Hans-Georg Gadamer. It will investigate notions of experience, authority and tradition relating to luthiery. Interviews with selected South African luthiers will be used to substantiate the relevance of Gadamer’s thoughts to luthieryAfrikaans: Die bou van musiekinstrumente is ’n antieke menslike bedrywigheid. Hierdie kunsvorm het egter tot ’n groot mate akademiese ondersoek ontwyk, met meeste teoretiese werk hieroor van illustratiewe, tegniese of praktiese aard. Hierdie artikel beoog om die bou van klassieke ghitare in sy Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale manifestasie met die denke van hermeneutiese filosoof Hans-Georg Gadamer te verbind. Spesifieke idees oor ervaring, outoriteit en tradisie in die bou van ghitare sal in hierdie verband ondersoek word. Onderhoude met geselekteerde Suid-Afrikaanse ghitaarbouers sal gebruik word ter stawing van die toepassing van Gadamer se denke tot die bedryf.