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60 Second Interview: Teacher of musical instrument making
When we asked Nick what he enjoys most about his job as a teacher of musical instrument making at West Dean College, he said "What’s not to like? I do something that I am passionate about". Nick's enthusiasm for his work really shines through in today's interview – and can teach us a lot about pursuing a career you love.
Name: Dr Nicholas Pyall
Company: West Dean College
Industry: Art and design, Education and teaching
What is your job? Nick teaches musical instrument making. He also makes and sells his own historic instruments.
How long have you been doing this job? 10 years
Education
University: The Cass, LMU
Degree subject: PhD, MA, BA
1. What was your very first job?
A guitarist.
2. What did you want to do when you were at school?
A painter.
3. How did you find out about the industry?
I have been obsessed with guitars since childhood. After a career as a guitar player and then as a recording engineer in the music industry, the next step for me was to learn how to make the instruments that I play.
4. How did you get there?
I had always made things and had assembled guitars from parts. My decision to study the art and craft of making stringed instruments eventually led me to the London College of Furniture (the predecessor of the course at the Cass).
My first pathway of full time study there was an FdA course (two-year foundation degree). I quickly found out that besides the bench work and making, I also liked studying the history and context of musical instrument making.
This led on to a BA, an MA, and a PhD funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Besides working as an independent guitar maker, work in academia appealed to the side of me that wanted to communicate this passion to others.
There are few establishments where one can learn the practice of musical instrument making in the UK. I became course leader and senior lecturer where I had trained, and now have recently moved on to take up a post at West Dean College as subject tutor in musical instruments.
5. What is a typical day like?
Well, I do travel from my workshop and the course at the Cass in London to the course at West Dean. This change of environment helps keeps my approach fresh. I find anyone who has a passion for musical instrument making is on common ground. It’s important to understand that there is always more to learn, and although practice leads to improvement, the path is long and you need to keep an open mind in your approach.
6. What’s the best thing about your job?
What’s not to like? I do something that I am passionate about!
7. What is the most challenging thing about your job?
I look after the health of courses as well as teaching on them. That responsibility can feel quite large at times.
8. What advice do you have for people who want to do what you do?
I go back to the word I keep using: passion. If you are passionate about what you do you’ll get there. Keep an open mind and be prepared to learn and keep focused. Musical instrument making has been with us for thousands of years.
9. What things do you wish you’d known before starting your career?
I didn’t know when I got involved with guitars that there were places like West Dean where I could study the historic craft practice of musical instrument making.
10. Where would you like to be in five years?
Continuing to do what I do now!
If you love using your hands and would love to earn a living making things, learn more about careers in art and design and how you can get there.
