"The Ukulele Maker", Junior Journal 58, level 2, 2019
01 June 2019
Dave Gilberd is a luthier, a maker of stringed instruments. This report describes how Dave makes a ukulele.
You can find the article and the teaching notes here:
Other useful resources
- Taonga Pūoro – In this article and audio Riki Bennett talks about taonga pūoro – Māori musical instruments – how they are made and the beautiful sounds that they make.
- The Alexander Piano – This is an article about the world's largest grand piano. It was built by a 15-year-old boy at Alpine Farm in South Canterbury.
- The Sshhmute – A practice mute for brass instruments – This article is about Trevor Bremner and the successful practice mute he designed.
Discussion questions
- What is the purpose of the musical instruments that Dave and others have made?
Identify the sorts of things that musical instrument makers do as part of their technological practice:
- What are they making and why?
- How do they plan what to do?
- What resources do they need?
- How do they make the instrument?
- How do they evaluate the instrument?
Name some of the materials that musical instrument makers use. Think about these materials in terms of:
- Performance properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity, water resistance, texture, flexibility, and colour. What are some of the performance properties of the materials?
- Manipulation such as shaping, joining, and finishing. How have the materials been manipulated to make a musical instrument?
Indicators of progression for discussion starters
| Component | Indicator | Level |
| Characteristics of technology |
| 1 |
| Technological products |
| 1 |