Marimba Maker and Repairer

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Marimba Maker and Repairer. A Marimba Maker and Repairer maintains, services, and makes tuned percussion instruments such as marimbas and other percussion instruments. Typical graduate attributes of a qualifying learner are to promote professionalism and to apply a strong, positive work ethic. They apply a unique combination of woodwork handicraft competences for the making of the instruments with a musical and acoustic background. A qualified learner will be able to: • Make and repair marimbas applying woodwork skills.

The Marimba Maker and Repairer is intended for entry-level workers, school leavers, or career changers who want to gain foundational skills. If you have a passion for this field and want to turn that passion into a profession, this programme will give you the tools and credentials to succeed. It is also suitable for employers who wish to upskill their workforce to meet industry standards.

Music is a basic human function and plays a significant role in everyday life within a society, from advertising campaigns to live performances to the individual taking pleasure in it. In the African culture, music is a form of communication; it accompanies all human activities and gatherings, from marriage, birth, rites of passage and political activities. It expresses life through the medium of sound. African music includes a wide range of musical instruments. There is a growing interest in percussion instruments, especially in the marimba and steelpan. Participation in the annual International Marimba & Steelpan Festival (hosted in South Africa) is increasing and the demand for instruments is growing likewise. The demand for instruments such as marimbas and steelpans is unfortunately exceeding the supply, resulting in a waiting period of six months and more for instruments to be delivered. An increase in the availability of the marimbas and steelpans will create increased availability, particularly in the more rural and remote schools and communities in South Africa, providing an opportunity to youth to participate in bands and express themselves through music. The socio-economic benefits of competent Marimba Maker and Repairer are far-reaching. This part-qualification aims to develop learners and promote professionalism and a strong, positive work ethic within the marimba and steelpan industry, while at the same time bringing it into line with international standards related to the production of these instruments. It provides learners with knowledge and skills to make, tune and care for tuned percussion musical instruments. Qualified Marimba Maker and Repairer will assist in the production of music instruments locally whereby supplying in the demand and reduce the dependence on imported instruments. This will increase availability of musical instruments to musicians, the public and educational institutions. These two instruments embrace and expand the African rhythm and culture and making these instruments available in rural communities will support the strengthening of social cohesion through communities coming together. It will also enable learners to receive a formal part-qualification in marimba and steelpan making and tuning where previously no formal recognition of this unique expertise and competence existed. Liaison with international practitioners from Trinidad and Tobago, which is the origin of the steelpan, highlighted that this is the first qualification of this nature. This part-qualification focusses on various aspects, including woodwork and metal work handicraft as competences for the making of the instruments as well as on the musical and acoustic background and art of tuning the instruments. Learners achieving this part-qualification can find employment with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are providing outreaches to schools and remote communities, or other Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) promoting music and arts in schools for tuning, repairing and maintaining marimbas and steelpans. They can also find employment at current manufacturing workshops or establish their own small businesses. However, with the additional skills in woodwork and steelwork, successful learners can enter the craft market as being self-employed, manufacturing steel and wooden craft products. No similar qualifications were noted on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) because the Occupational Certificate: Marimba Maker and Repairer has its own unique nature and content. No professional registration is needed for Marimba Makers and Repairers to operate within the industry. Typical learners include graduates from learning institutions and persons currently employed in the industry without formal recognition. The Occupational Certificate: Marimba Maker and Repairer is one of three part-qualifications of the Occupational Certificate: Tuned Percussion Instrument Maker. It provides appropriate exit points for competence related to making and repairing of marimbas offering learners an opportunity to achieve knowledge and skills for operating in the music industry as a Marimba Maker and Repairer. Hereafter the Marimba Maker and Repairer may proceed to the Occupational Certificate: Marimba Tuner and thereafter to the Occupational Certificate: Tuned Percussion Instrument Makers whereby furthering a career in Steelpan and Marimba making, repairing, and tuning.

1. Measure, cut and assemble and repair marimbas to comply with the requirements of the musical scale, design and/or technical drawing 2. Apply knowledge of the influence of the mallet on the performance of the instrument when making mallets for use with various percussion instruments ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1: • Interpret a marimba design and/or technical drawing, taking all dimensions and measures into account. • Cut, prepare and finish tone plates, to precision following the instructions on the diagram and table. • Cut and assemble the frames holding the tone plates to ensure stability of the musical instrument applying woodwork skills. • Measure, cut to precision, prepare and attach resonators to the frame ensuring amplification of the sound. • Care for and maintain a marimba to ensure character and preserve voice. • Repair a marimba to original state to ensure original character, preserve voice and the colour matches. • Use the woodwork hand tools and machines skilfully in compliance with safety procedures. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: • Identify the purposes and specific musical instrument, for which the mallet is intended. • Demonstrate the knowledge of the use of mallets as integral melodic and harmonic part of the music. • Demonstrate the knowledge of the many factors such as size and shape of the mallet head, the material used, the density of the material, the flexibility or non-flexibility of the mallet shafts, that influence the performance of the musical instrument. • Demonstrate the knowledge of the effect of various types of materials on the resulting hardness/softness of the mallet head. • Select suitable raw material for mallet components based on the intended purpose and performance of musical instrument. • Produce a set of mallets that create the correct sound and enhances the performance of the specific musical instrument. • Resolve the problems related to the flexibility of the shaft, hardness/softness and shape of the head to produce the desired sound.