Electronic music pedagogy

Although I hadn’t had any previous experience with drum machines, synths, or grooveboxes before, attending the workshop with special guest Chris Koelma was a really eye-opening introduction to this side of music technology. The session focused on the Roland AIRA Compact series, which includes drum machines and synthesizers designed to be accessible yet powerful.

Chris did a fantastic job breaking down the features and possibilities of these devices, explaining how they can be used both in live performance and studio settings. It was fascinating to see how compact and intuitive these instruments are, especially given the complex sounds and rhythms they can produce. I was especially interested in how the grooveboxes allow users to sequence beats and layers in real time, creating dynamic music on the spot.

As someone who hasn’t worked much with this kind of technology, I appreciated how the workshop balanced technical detail with hands-on demonstration. Even though I’m still new to the concepts of synthesis and beat-making, I could see how these tools open up exciting creative avenues for musicians and educators alike.

This experience made me realise that to truly support students with diverse musical interests, I need to broaden my own technological skills beyond what I’m comfortable with. Exploring instruments like the Roland AIRA Compact could be a great way to engage students who are interested in electronic music and beat-making. I look forward to learning more about these devices and finding ways to incorporate them into future teaching contexts.

Unfortunately I did not take any images or videos from this lesson, so have nothing to show for it.