Resource: The Well-Tempered Synth
I recently came across a YouTube channel called The Well-Tempered Synth, and I immediately went down a DEEP rabbit hole - watching dozens of videos before coming up for air. The channel features well-known classical works by composers like Bach, Chopin, and Shostakovich, but instead of being played by a piano or orchestra, the music is performed using synthesizers and paired with simple, clear visualizations. Hearing and seeing familiar pieces presented this way is both engaging and surprisingly hypnotic. It’s also fascinating to see the shapes of the melodies, counter melodies and bass lines interacting. It’s a different way to experience music students may already know, and it naturally encourages them to pay closer attention to what’s happening in the music. I personally think you should bookmark this channel right now and look for ways to incorporate it into your teaching. Here’s an example that features my all-time favorite Invention by J.S. Bach:
What I find really compelling is how clearly this kind of presentation can support the teaching of these pieces that many students, let’s face it, might find boring. When students hear a classical piece performed with synthesized sounds and see it visually represented, it often removes preconceived ideas about the “right” way the music should sound or look. The visual elements give students another entry point into the music, especially for those who struggle with purely aural listening. Instead of getting lost, they can track changes, repetitions, and contrasts as they happen in real time.
For teachers, the visualization component can be especially useful during guided listening. Students can follow melodic motion, density, and texture as the music unfolds, which makes it easier to discuss form, phrasing, and structure. Teachers might pause a video and ask students to explain what changed visually and what changed musically, helping them connect sound to structure. This kind of multimodal listening supports deeper understanding without requiring advanced theory knowledge. The visuals also work well for analysis in theory and general music classes. Clear visual cues can help students identify entrances, layers, and formal sections, reinforcing concepts like repetition, development, and contrast. For students who are more visually oriented learners, this approach can make abstract musical ideas feel more concrete and accessible.
The channel also works as a bridge into creative work. After watching and listening, students could create their own visual or sound-based interpretations of a short musical excerpt using digital tools. Others might reflect on how visual presentation influences their emotional response to the music. These discussions help students understand that music communication isn’t just about notes on a page, but about how sound is presented and perceived.
The Well-Tempered Synth can’t replace traditional listening, score study, or performance, but it does offer teachers another effective way to help students engage with classical music - especially those students who don’t participate in a traditional school music program, don’t read music, or have no deep interest in learning about the history of classical music. I wish I had access to this YouTube channel when I was teaching middle school general music. I’m quite certain that my students would have been equally mesmerized as I am when I watch these. By combining sound and visualization, these videos support focused listening, strengthen analytical skills, and help more students find a meaningful way into the music. I hope you find them useful and can incorporate some of them into your teaching!