Imagine violin students being able to go into a musical instrument museum and pick up and play a fine Amati, Guarneri del Gesu, or a Stradivarius--just to try it out to get the feel of it, or to see which one they like best?
I'm not sure that's possible, but there is such a place for classical guitarists: The Harris Guitar Collection at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Guitarist David Tanenbaum, whose recordings we've heard on Fretworks, is the chair of the guitar department at the Conservatory and believes there is nothing else like it. Currently, students can practice on vintage historic instruments from the early 19th century or play newer models leading up to the standard classical guitar as represented by the Spanish guitar maker Antonio de Torres later in the late 19th century.
L. John Harris, a well-to-do business man, artist, film maker and guitar aficionado, keeps on-loan to the Conservatory 14 instruments at any one time from his sizable collection to be used by students. What a wonderful idea, instead of letting valuable instruments just sit in guitar case or gather dust and deteriorate in a display case of a museum. Although there is a display case, the guitars of this collection can be played regularly.
Below is a little bit of David Tanenbaum at work in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and below that, a more informal quick snapshot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw_BHCnhYCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6M-NM28ICQ
On a related note, to regularly hear fine recordings of great classical guitarists and their undoubtedly fine instruments, join me for Fretworks Saturday and Wednesday evenings at 7 on Classical 101.