Exploring Math and Music by Making a One String Guitar

In this STEM residency with Curtis Blues, students build a single-string Blues guitar to make abstract math concepts concrete. Primary students use the guitar for skip counting and intermediate students learn about negative and positive integers. Students utilize the engineering model to imagine, plan, create, and improve the sound properties of their instruments. Sample curriculum connections: Maryland State Curriculum Music Standard 2.0 Historical, Cultural, and Social Context: Students will demonstrate an understanding of music as an essential aspect of history and human experience Grade relevant Common Core Math Standards

Teaching Artist Bio:

Curtis is a talented multi-instrumentalist, roots musician, and educator. His performances keep the tradition of acoustic American roots music alive and demonstrate the origins of modern Rock and Hip Hop for students. Curtis has three critically-acclaimed CDs and is passionate about passing this musical heritage down to the next generation.

*This program may be eligible for grant funding

Learn more about this residency:

Typically, residencies range from $2,000 to $3,000, but we can use your available budget and ‘work backwards’ to create a cost-effective residency for your school. We may be able to assist you in securing grant and funding opportunities.

Residencies are tailored to your needs but usually include:
• A kick-off assembly
• A required orientation meeting and planning session
• A set of workshops for classes of up to 25 students each
• A student culminating or sharing event
• An evaluation meeting

For a rough estimate, residency prices include:
• Artist assembly (see artist’s page for pricing)
• A set of workshops ($100 each)
• A required orientation meeting and planning session ($100 each)
• An evaluation meeting ($100)
• Mileage and supply costs depend on artist location and the residency chosen.