Guitarbuilding.org

The National Science Foundation STEM Guitar Project

Electric Guitar Curriculum

Build Stage Modular Learning Activities
Preparation/ Design
  • Guitar Anatomy and Cost Estimate
Initial woodworking/ Body Sculpting
  • Guitar Body Geometry
  • Wood for Guitars
Fretboard and Neck
  • The Mathematics of Musical Scales
  • Scale Length, Frequency, & Tension
Finishing: Sealing, Painting  
Fretting
  • The Physics of Music Waves
  • Fret Spacing Mathematics
  • Spreadsheet for Fret Spacing
Electronics
  • Guitar Electronics
  • Tooth Tunes
  • A Prelude to Pick-ups; the Solenoid
Body and Neck Assembly
  • Tolerances in Engineering Drawings
  • Threaded Fasteners
Set-up and Intonation
  • Set Up
  • Intonation
Schedule for 15 Week Semester
Week Number
Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Body and Neck Shaping X X X X                      
Fretboard and Neck     X X X X                  
Finishing: Sealing, Painting       X X X X X              
Fretting             X X X X          
Electronics                 X X X X      
Setup and Intonation                       X X X  
Final Evaluation                           X X

 

Typical Number of Hours per Stage Student Hours per Stage
Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Body and Neck Shaping X X X X X X X X    
Fretboard and Neck X X X X X X X      
Painting and Finishing (many short times) X X X X X X X X X  
Fretting X X X X X X        
Electronics X X X X X X        
Setup and Intonation X X X X X X X      
Final Evaluation X X                

 

Modular Learning Activity Appropriate Grade Level Lesson Type Build Stage
  Middle School High School College Science Technology Engineering Math Art  
Guitar Anatomy and Cost Estimate   X X   X   X   Preparation/ Design
Guitar Body Geometry   X         X X Initial woodworking/ Body Sculpting
Wood for Guitars   X X X   X X   Initial woodworking/ Body Sculpting
The Mathematics of Musical Scales X X         X   Fretboard and Neck
Scale Length, Frequency, & String Tension   X X       X   Fretboard and Neck
The Physics of Music Waves   X X X   X X   Fretting
Fret Spacing Mathematics   X X       X   Fretting
Spreadsheet for fret spacing X X         X   Fretting
Guitar Electronics   X X   X X     Electronics
Tooth Tunes X X X X         Electronics
A Prelude to Pick-ups; the Solenoid   X X X X       Electronics
Tolerances in Engineering Drawings   X X     X X   Body and Neck Assembly
Threaded Fasteners X X     X       Body and Neck Assembly
Set Up X X X   X       Set-up and Intonation
Intonation X X X   X       Set-up and Intonation

 

MENU