Music to touch, marvel at, and listen to: Our older children were treated to a very special outing. At the Ottensen Crafts Courtyard, we visited the master plucked instrument makers and immersed ourselves in the fascinating world of guitars and harps. At guitar maker Carsten’s workshop, the children learned about the different types of wood used to make guitars and how much the material influences the sound. A particularly fascinating aspect was how even a simple clothespin can become an important tool in the workshop. It became clear just how much craftsmanship, patience, and sensitivity goes into every instrument. Afterwards, the harpists Sheyda and Olga explained to us how a harp is constructed, what different types of harps exist – and of course, we were allowed to listen to the instruments. The children listened attentively to the different timbres and experienced music in all its diversity. For us, this excursion was much more than just a visit to a workshop: A memorable day that will resonate for a long time to come.
The children were able to experience how music is created from natural materials, how craftsmanship and creativity work together, and how diverse sounds can be. Such experiences not only strengthen musical hearing but also curiosity, language development, and cultural understanding – perfectly in line with our bilingual and holistic educational approach.