Welcome to the Electronic Music Composition Category – Exploring Electronic Music Composition Together
Hello there! I’m Trevor—a full-time piano and theory teacher with over 25 years of experience and, more recently, someone who’s finally taking the time to rediscover a hobby I’ve always been passionate about: composing. I studied composition years ago, but had to step away from it to focus on building my teaching studio. Now, I’m finally setting aside time to dive back in. It feels familiar, definitely in need of some refreshing, but full of new possibilities.
One of the biggest shifts in my musical world has been discovering electronic music. What started as simple curiosity slowly turned into a full-on studio setup—with synths, samplers, and patch cables running everywhere. I’m not an expert—I’m still learning, experimenting, and enjoying the process. If you’re exploring this side of music too, you’re welcome to come along for the ride.
What This Category Is About
Roughly a decade ago, I got into synthesizers. That small interest eventually grew into a full home studio—and a whole new musical language I’m still figuring out. This category is where I document what I’m learning about composing for electronic instruments. That includes standalone synth-based tracks, as well as hybrid works that combine synths with traditional instruments.
It’s not about producing radio-ready tracks. It’s about creative exploration—patching, playing, sequencing, and sometimes just sitting there wondering what happens when you turn one knob too far. I’ll also be exploring how you might notate electronic compositions and what that looks like in practice.
Why Follow Along?
Because electronic music isn’t just about the gear—it’s about how that gear shapes the way you write, hear, and think. The instruments are different. The textures are endless. The process can be intuitive or wildly technical. I’m slowly learning how to balance all that while still keeping things musical—or at least trying to.
If you’ve ever wondered how to approach writing with a synth, what Eurorack is all about, or how to combine piano with a modular patch, then you’re in the right place. Even if you’re just getting started, maybe some of my experiments will help you think through your own setup or creative ideas.
What Kind of Posts to Expect
Here’s what you’ll find in this part of the blog:
- Gear Reflections – Thoughts on specific synths, samplers, or modules and how they’re influencing what I write.
- Hybrid Compositions – Notes on blending synths with acoustic instruments like piano or strings.
- Exploring Texture and Tone – How sound design becomes part of the compositional process.
- Studio Experiments – Patching or sequencing ideas I’ve tried and what came out of them.
- Writing with Limitations – Explorations in writing full pieces with just one synth or one patch idea.
Come Explore with Me
Whether you’re knee-deep in patch cables or just curious about electronic music, feel free to check out more posts in this category. This is all part of a broader journey I’m on—learning, creating, and sharing as I go. I’m glad you’re here.
Until next time,
Trevor
