As a result of taking a music lesson after retiring, John Williams has embarked on a quest to build the perfect musical instrument. Photo by Phil Houseal

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To find out more about his art and instruments, email John Williams at jwilliams209@austin.rr.com.

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Turning trees into music

by Phil Houseal
Jan 11, 2012

John Williams turns trees into music.

And logs into crosses, and paint into patterns.

And words into wisdom.

“I’d rather take a tree and turn it into music, than put it in your fireplace,” laughed the 72-year-old retired scientist. “I get philosophical.”

Actually, Williams is on a quest to create the perfect dulcimer. His story starts about a decade ago, when he moved to town and took up woodcarving. He crafted wooden swords and Celtic crosses, doing all the work by hand, using chisels and mallets on hand draw n patterns.

He would have been satisfied to continue making sculptures and crosses, but something happened. Williams walked down the street and took a music lesson.

“I went to Gale Reddick to learn to play ukulele,” he said.

Williams couldn’t read a note. But he soon got to where he enjoyed playing. And he gradually grew more interested in the instruments he was learning to play.

“I began looking at them in a music store, and I said, I can do better than that. Then I wanted to make something.”

He passion currently lingers on the lap dulcimer, an original American instrument with three strings that is strummed while being held on the lap.

Drawing on his scientific background, Williams began trying to create the perfect instrument.

“I got hooked on what is the best one I can do,” he explained. “How can I optimize this instrument to get the best sound, the best volume, the best look, the best tone?” Williams started experimenting with every variable of the instrument, trying shapes from hourglass to teardrop, different scale lengths, body depths, and variations in woods and patterns.

He is now working on his sixth iteration. The wood he has used includes koa, black walnut, mahogany, and padauk, a strong, reddish-orange hardwood from Africa.

He showed me instruments in various stages of completion from sketches on paper to pieced backs to finished playable instruments. “I’m in a study. That’s why every one is different.”

It is obvious he loves what he does. He rubs his hand across a finished instrument. “I have to know, what is the best way to construct these,” he said. “How did the craftsman bring the joints together? Did he sand it?” He pointed to the precisely cut heart-shaped sound holes on the face of one of his instruments. “That says quality.”

That also says passion. “To build something you truly enjoy is the ultimate. I wouldn’t work on something I didn’t care for - like tables or furniture. You don’t ever get that feeling that goes with an instrument.”

For all his energy and artistry, Williams doesn’t claim he is doing anything new.

“I am trying to put together the best knowledge to come up with what I hope will be an excellent playing instrument.”

He is not sure of the music world’s acceptance of his dulcimers, because he “has yet to sell one.” But that is not the point. “My quest is to learn,” he said. “Then I will only sell them so I can keep buying lumber to build more.”

Taking that first music lesson opened up a whole new world for Williams. He gets philosophical again.

“Music does so much for people,” he said. “To pick up any sheet of music and play it is freedom that’s unbelievable. In life, you just go with it, whatever you are working on. It’s like kicking a rock down a hill - you never know what you are going to wind up with at the bottom.”

“I started with music. It went into my painting, woodcarving, singing, and into meeting people. It just grows. I met dulcimer players, and I wound up talking to you. Why? Because I ended up taking one music lesson down at the end of the street.”

“The key is to do something positive in life. No matter how old you are. Life is an endless river; jump in it.”