Resonance & Craft: Unveiling Guitar Dynamics How do the design and material choices of acoustic guitars impact sound quality and playability, and how has the historical evolution of guitars influenced these designs?

Ever wondered why your favorite guitar sounds so unique? In this collaborative project, you'll explore the design, material choices, and historical evolution of guitars, beginning with an exploratory project: creating a cigar box guitar. Students will gain insights into acoustics and the material properties that influence sound, understand the evolution of guitar designs and their cultural significance over time, and develop teamwork and communication skills while working on shared goals. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply curious about how things work, you’ll have a blast building something amazing together.

Day 1: Guitar Types

Making "canjos"

E.A. - If I were to design my dream guitar, it would be preferably a Taylor. I would want a grand auditorium shape (which is kinda hour glass like with a cutaway) made with spruce. I would want no lacquer mainly because I don't love the shiny look. I would want cool fret inlays (preferably stars or moons) made with abalone (so it matches my capo). If possible I would want side resonator holes if possible shaped like little moons off of the main resonator hole. I would opt for gold fret wires (the usually silver fret markers) and probably an abalone patterned pick plate on the side.

X.Z. - If I were to design my dream guitar, it would be a guitar that plays by itself. It would not need my hands to strum or press the strings. Instead, it would listen to my thoughts and turn them into music. Whenever I imagine a melody, the guitar would play it perfectly, with the right rhythm and emotion. It could switch between soft, gentle tunes and loud, powerful solos without me touching it. The guitar would also learn my style over time, making each song feel unique and personal. With this guitar, I could create endless music effortlessly and share it with the world.

M.L. - If I were to design my dream guitar, it would be a hollow bodied electric. I love the sound of them, and they’re so convenient since they have a good sound without an amp, but can still be used with one. My uncle has one and it’s by far the best guitar I’ve ever used. The only adjustment I’d make is I’d make it parlor sized, or at least smaller than most guitars. This would probably make it smaller, which is unideal but a worthy sacrifice. I find that most guitars are slightly too big for me to be able to play comfortably. The ideal size is that of a standard solid body electric.

Day 2 - Understanding Materials and Their Impact on Sound

Finished canjos!

Mr. Thompson presented about how different tone woods affect sound, weight, and durability of acoustic guitars.

Comparing guitars

Making guitar pick jewelry!

Experimenting with pitch - A straw panpipe produces sound when air is blown across straws of different lengths, with shorter straws producing higher pitches. Students experimented with putting water in the straws to alter the pitch, blocking the ends of the straws, and putting more straws together to make more notes available to them to play longer songs.

Credits:

Created with images by puhimec - "Man playing acoustic guitar on dark background. A musical concept." • Africa Studio - "Collage of musical instruments isolated on white"