In May 2024, I was invited to teach the hommel at the Academy of Gooik, Pajottegem. It was an exciting opportunity to share my passion for this traditional instrument with the students.
Since September, I’ve been actively teaching the hommel, and during this time, a question kept coming to mind: How difficult would it be to make one myself?
Curious and inspired, I decided to take on the challenge. The result is a hommel tuned in G/C, with a red cedar top and padouk back and sides. It features a chromatic scale spanning two octaves, double melody strings, and four drone strings. The process was both demanding and rewarding — a true blend of craftsmanship, patience, and a deepened respect for the instrument.
This Hommel features a unique addition: a secondary sound hole on the side of the instrument. Unlike traditional designs, this extra opening is intended to enhance sound projection, directing the music more clearly toward listeners. While not historically typical, this modification adds a practical and acoustic dimension to the instrument’s performance.
Top: Red cedar
Back & sides: Padouk
Tuners: Gotoh
Pickup: K&K big twin
Sound samples to come.
If you want more information on this instrument, please email me.
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