A quest for the perfect tone: Luthiering, pedal boards and curriculum expansion

In this article the author explores what making guitars (luthiering), designing and assembling pedal boards, and performing as a guitarist has meant for his perspective on curricular expansion in music teacher education in the United States. He provides examples of the creative process of selecting materials, exploring novel components, and establishing finishing procedures in guitar making as a means of illustrating a theory of change in music education (Randles, 2013a). Adaptive and innovative change is viewed through the practical work of both the luthier and music education curriculum reformer. Implications for the future of music education curriculum development are provided.