diy-instrument-lab

DIY Instrument Lab (College, 14 Weeks)

This repository contains a college-level course, DIY Instrument Lab, designed as a 14-week studio/seminar.

Students design and build their own musical instruments and sound-making systems, moving from contact mics and found objects to simple analog circuits, sensors, and microcontroller-based controllers. Alongside hands-on builds, we read about instrumentality, noise, labor, access, and the politics of sound tools.

The course is built to be tuned up (for advanced electronics) or down (for more sculptural / low-tech work) depending on your site.

Files

• COURSE_DESCRIPTION.md – catalog-style description, format, and learning outcomes
• SCHEDULE.md – 14-week outline (titles + focus)
• ASSIGNMENTS.md – evaluation sketch and assignment breakdown
• READING_LIST.md – conceptual + practical texts grouped by theme
• READING_SCHEDULE.md – week-by-week reading map
• SUPPLEMENTAL_RESOURCES.md – tools, libraries, suppliers, and practice references
• INSTRUCTOR_NOTES.md – teaching guidance, tech tiers, safety, and contingency planning
• LOCAL_NOTES_TEMPLATE.md – template for your local constraints and adaptations
• sessions/ – per-week session plans/stubs (Weeks 1–14)