Benjamin Ryan is a multi-dimensional innovator who transforms complex ideas into accessible reality. With 45+ years of experience bridging technology, creativity, and education, he brings clarity to complexity through innovative visual communication.
Author and illustrator of "Keys, Codes, and Modes: A Visual Approach to Understanding Music", Ben translates intricate music theory into visual clarity. His work empowers musicians at every level to grasp concepts that traditionally confuse—making the abstract tangible through innovative visual systems.
As the inventor of the revolutionary FreeStyle® Musical Device, Ben holds four U.S. patents for a groundbreaking guitar technology that unlocks infinite tonal possibilities. With 45+ years of musical experience across folk, rock, jazz, and country, he combines deep musical understanding with engineering innovation.
Began career at GE Genigraphics, developing computer graphics technology that became the precursor to PowerPoint. This foundation in visual storytelling carries through everything he creates today.
Proposal Coach at Northrop Corporation, leading communication strategies for billion-dollar defense projects. Developed skills in technical communication and strategic presentation.
California Real Estate Broker with 45+ years of experience. Founded Visual Media Group, applying visual communication principles to real estate marketing and sales.
FEMA Emergency Management Trainer across 14 western states. Developed and delivered critical training programs for disaster preparedness and response.
Developed the FreeStyle® Musical Device (4 U.S. patents) and authored Keys, Codes, and Modes. Created interactive music theory applications combining technology, visual education, and accessible learning.
FreeStyle® Musical Device - Revolutionary guitar technology enabling infinite tonal possibilities
"Keys, Codes, and Modes: A Visual Approach to Understanding Music" - Complete with original illustrations
Early computer graphics work at GE Genigraphics (precursor to PowerPoint)
Extensive experience across folk, rock, jazz, and country genres
Visual Media Group and multiple entrepreneurial ventures
FEMA emergency management training across 14 western states
Today, Ben combines all his expertise—technology, visual communication, music theory, and education—into Keys, Codes & Modes, a comprehensive interactive music theory platform. His mission is to make music theory accessible, visual, and intuitive for musicians worldwide.
Music theory has traditionally been taught through abstract notation and complex terminology. Ben's visual approach reveals the patterns, relationships, and logic that make music theory intuitive and memorable. By seeing the connections, musicians at all levels can understand and apply music theory naturally.
"Complexity becomes clear when you can see the patterns. Whether it's the chromatic circle, chord relationships, or scale structures—when you visualize music theory, the 'aha!' moments come naturally. That's what Keys, Codes & Modes is all about: making the invisible visible, the complex simple, and music theory accessible to everyone."
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