Choosing Craft: Should More Young Musicians Consider a Career in Instrument Making?

For many young people immersed in music education, the obvious career paths tend to lead to performance, teaching or composition. These are visible roles—celebrated in school concerts, graded exams and conservatoire prospectuses. But behind every note played is a quieter, often overlooked profession: the craft of making and maintaining the instruments themselves.

As heritage craft training disappears from mainstream education, we risk losing not only valuable skills but an entire way of thinking about musical careers. It’s time we asked a simple question: should more young musicians be encouraged to consider a future in instrument making?

From Player to Maker: A Natural Progression

There is a long tradition of performers becoming makers. Who better to understand the nuances of feel, tone and response than someone who has spent years playing? Many of today’s finest luthiers began their journey with a bow in hand, not a chisel.

Our own Laurentius followed this very path. He began as a violin player, immersed in the emotional and expressive possibilities of the instrument. But it was his deep fascination with how violins worked—their tone, construction and history—that drew him to study making and restoration. For him, learning to build and care for instruments was a way of honouring the music itself.

Young musicians already have a head start. They understand how instruments behave, what makes them sing, and how slight differences in setup can transform playability. With the right exposure and support, some may discover that their passion for music is as much about the making as the playing.

And yet, for many students, this path is never mentioned. Few schools include instrument making in their careers advice. Even music colleges tend to focus on performance or academic study, not the heritage trades that support the wider musical ecosystem.

A Career That Blends Art, Science and Purpose

Lutherie is not just woodworking. It’s a rich interplay of craft, acoustics, history and intuition. It requires patience, precision, and a deep sensitivity to sound. For those who love working with their hands, who find joy in materials, or who want to preserve a centuries-old tradition, it can be deeply fulfilling.

Unlike many creative jobs, instrument making offers tangible outcomes. You make something that lasts—something that may be played and cherished for generations. It also offers a degree of autonomy: many luthiers run independent workshops, choosing their own projects and working closely with musicians.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital tools and screen-based work, careers rooted in skilled physical craft have a renewed appeal. They offer a sense of purpose and connection that many young people are actively seeking.

Barriers and Blind Spots

The biggest obstacle is awareness. Few young people even know that violin making is a viable career option. And for those who do, access to training can be a challenge. With the loss of structured degree routes, aspiring makers must navigate a fragmented system of apprenticeships, short courses and international schools—often at considerable personal cost.

There is also a lingering perception that craft careers are somehow “lesser” than academic ones. This stigma is not only unfair—it’s historically inaccurate. Instrument makers are highly skilled professionals, preserving specialist knowledge that takes years to master.

Until we challenge these narratives, we will continue to lose talent that might otherwise thrive in this field.

Making Craft Visible

To open up this path, we need to bring making into the spotlight. That could mean inviting local luthiers into schools, featuring instrument restoration in arts careers events, or embedding craft more firmly within music education itself.

Music teachers, in particular, have a vital role to play. Simply mentioning lutherie as a potential path—or pointing a curious student towards a local maker—can plant the seed of a future career. And for those who already love both music and making, it could be exactly the direction they’ve been looking for.

Let’s help the next generation see that there’s more than one way to dedicate your life to music. Some will step onto the stage. Others will be behind the bench—ensuring that the show can go on.