Dr. John Chowning

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Inventor
Company Name
FM Sound Synthesis
Tags
Electronic Music, Synthesizers, Composers/Songwriters, Keyboards, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha Corporation of America, Yamaha Corporation of Japan, FM Synthesis, Full Interview, LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra), Multiple Interviews, Don Lewis, Stanford University

Dr. John Chowning is known throughout the world for his discovery of FM sound synthesis, which, when used in the context of electronic musical instruments, provided an alternative to the way synthesized music was being created. The technology was first used with great success in the Yamaha DX7, which not only sold extremely well and was a success in the marketplace, but it changed the way the world thought of and used electronic keyboards. As a professor at Stanford University, Dr. Chowning also designed a number of other applications for FM sound synthesis and similar electronic musical concepts.  His fascinating life in music included playing jazz while serving in the United States Navy and receiving composition training from the renowned music teacher Nadia Boulanger.