Synthesiser mayhem

In this class, we got hands-on experience with different synthesisers like the LittleBits and Korg kits. These kits were really cool because it felt like we were actually building machines by connecting different parts and shaping sounds ourselves. I think students would find this really fun and engaging since it mixes creativity with a bit of engineering and problem-solving. It was exciting to see how each small change could affect the overall sound, which made the learning process feel very interactive and rewarding.

We also tried out a simple synth that James made in Soundtrap, which was a lot of fun to use. I have always liked Soundtrap because it offers so many possibilities, and this synth added another way to be creative. It was satisfying to change the sounds and see how different settings could completely change the mood and feel of the music. I appreciated how easy it was to experiment without needing to know a lot of technical details, which would be encouraging for students new to synthesisers.

Overall, the class was a great chance to experiment and play. It gave us freedom to explore sound in a hands-on way, which I really enjoyed. The LittleBits and Korg kits stood out to me as tools that could spark curiosity and creativity in students. They make learning about synthesisers accessible and fun, especially because they involve physical interaction with the equipment rather than just working on a screen.

This experience has made me think about how I can use similar hands-on and creative activities in my future teaching. Letting students build and manipulate sound could be a great way to help them understand music technology better. I also think these kinds of activities could boost students’ confidence by giving them a sense of control and accomplishment as they create their own unique sounds. Moving forward, I want to explore more ways to combine technology and creativity to make music learning engaging and enjoyable for all kinds of learners.