The synthesizer has virtually no standard repertoire. a.) True b.) False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: a.) True
The statement “The synthesizer has virtually no standard repertoire” is True.
Explanation (300 words):
The synthesizer, as an electronic musical instrument, is a relatively recent innovation in the history of music, emerging prominently in the mid-20th century. Unlike traditional instruments such as the piano, violin, or trumpet—each of which has centuries of established repertoire—the synthesizer does not have a long-standing body of widely accepted or standardized compositions.
A standard repertoire refers to a collection of well-known, frequently performed works that are widely recognized and studied within a musical tradition. For instruments like the piano, this includes composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. For orchestral music, it includes symphonies by Mozart, Brahms, and Mahler. These works form the foundation for performance, education, and competition.
The synthesizer, by contrast, is associated more with experimental, popular, and electronic music genres, including ambient, techno, synth-pop, and film scores. Artists like Wendy Carlos, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Kraftwerk pioneered synthesizer use in the 1960s–1980s, but their works do not constitute a “standard” repertoire in the traditional classical sense. Moreover, synthesizers are often used to create new sounds rather than interpret existing compositions, making them inherently versatile but also less tied to a fixed body of works.
Furthermore, synthesizers are highly customizable. Each model or software version may have different capabilities, controls, and sounds, leading musicians to use them in unique, personalized ways. This customization further reduces the likelihood of a universally agreed-upon repertoire.
In academic settings, especially conservatories and music programs that focus on classical traditions, synthesizers are typically studied under electronic music or sound design rather than performance of a standard body of works.
Therefore, due to its relative youth, genre flexibility, and focus on innovation over tradition, the synthesizer indeed has virtually no standard repertoire in the traditional sense.