Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A topic that comes up often in Learning Sound & Synthesis (my modular synthesis course) is “practice vs. play” — how do we balance open, free exploration on our instruments along with developing new skills & learning tools/techniques?
Over the years, I’ve personally tried things like 30 minutes of technical study with 30 minutes of open play—& to an extent, that works. But I also know that many folks find it difficult to “switch modes,” (understandably!) & feel like they’re either spending all their time studying technical concepts, or all their time “aimlessly” exploring & noodling.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, & something I’ve really been enjoying is simply removing the barrier between practice / play altogether... & instead asking myself things like:
“how can I bring more playfulness & joy into studying this new module / tool / technique?”
“how can I bring more intention and focus into this free improvisation / jam session?”
For me at least, those tricky techniques and complicated concepts seem to always click with more ease when I’m exploring them from a more experimental, playful perspective...
...and adding even the slightest bit of structure or intention going into an open improvisation (such as: I’m going to openly explore, but only using this 1 module, or only making tiny, precise changes to the sound) can change the outcome from “just noodling” to learning more about your instrument and discovering new, unexpected sonic corners.
Special shoutout to all the amazing folks in the Learning Sound & Synthesis community for sparking thoughtful questions & conversations like these! ❤️🙌
The next round of LSS opens soon for everyone on the waitlist! Go to the link in bio if you want to join the waitlist to be notified when the doors open (AND to get a Live Performance with Synths training for free when you enroll)!
#modularsynth #sounddesign #modularsynthesizer #buchla #musictechnology #musicproduction #synthesis #synthesizer #fxpedals #effectspedals #experimentalmusic #electronicmusic #synth
A topic that comes up often in Learning Sound & Synthesis (my modular synthesis course) is “practice vs. play” — how do we balance open, free exploration on our instruments along with developing new skills & learning tools/techniques?
Over the years, I’ve personally tried things like 30 minutes of technical study with 30 minutes of open play—& to an extent, that works. But I also know that many folks find it difficult to “switch modes,” (understandably!) & feel like they’re either spending all their time studying technical concepts, or all their time “aimlessly” exploring & noodling.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, & something I’ve really been enjoying is simply removing the barrier between practice / play altogether... & instead asking myself things like:
“how can I bring more playfulness & joy into studying this new module / tool / technique?”
“how can I bring more intention and focus into this free improvisation / jam session?”
For me at least, those tricky techniques and complicated concepts seem to always click with more ease when I’m exploring them from a more experimental, playful perspective...
...and adding even the slightest bit of structure or intention going into an open improvisation (such as: I’m going to openly explore, but only using this 1 module, or only making tiny, precise changes to the sound) can change the outcome from “just noodling” to learning more about your instrument and discovering new, unexpected sonic corners.
Special shoutout to all the amazing folks in the Learning Sound & Synthesis community for sparking thoughtful questions & conversations like these! ❤️🙌
The next round of LSS opens soon for everyone on the waitlist! Go to the link in bio if you want to join the waitlist to be notified when the doors open (AND to get a Live Performance with Synths training for free when you enroll)!
#modularsynth #sounddesign #modularsynthesizer #buchla #musictechnology #musicproduction #synthesis #synthesizer #fxpedals #effectspedals #experimentalmusic #electronicmusic #synth
