|
Andrew's Approach
Andrew makes it a top priority to help each pupil develop into a confident independent musician. He helps pupils to achieve this goal by focusing on the full range of important areas for development, including:
- Andrew helps students to develop a good playing technique from day one. This includes developing good finger independence and freedom of movement at the keyboard. Too often electronic keyboard players pay too little attention to their posture and physical balance, which can cause serious problems later on.
- Andrew emphasises the impoirtance of developing musicianship. This involves making the best use of the musical resources offered by the modern digital keyboard, such as the huge range of sounds and backing styles available.
- Andrew also helps his students learn to improvise as a regular part of their playing.
- He also shows pupils how they can make their own musical arrangements of the pieces they learn, developing genuine creativity and expression in their playing.
- Andrew is concerned to ensure that pupils develop a good understanding of the music they play. At the most basic level this includes teaching pupils to read music. Although it is possible to play many keyboard tunes by ear, it is important to develop good reading skills, as these contribute significantly to the goal of confident musical independence.
- Keyboard students learning in Andrew's studio typically develop and interest in music technology, including recording.
- In many cases Andrew's students will move on to learning the piano with him. He is naturally concerned to ensure that players develop good playing skills that can be transferred to playing electric and acoustic pianos with fully weighted keys, should they later choose to do so.
By cultivating good technique, musicianship and understanding, Andrew helps his pupils develop into confident independent musicians, whatever their special interests. Lessons are enjoyable and pupils are often surprised by just how quickly they progress! |
What is the difference between learning keyboard or piano?
Piano pupils learn to use both hands independently, reading separate musical lines for each hand, and using both treble and bass clef notation. They play music in a variety of styles, usually including classical and jazz.
Keyboard pupils learn to use the right hand in the same way, including reading treble clef notation. However, with the left hand they will concentrate on learning to read chord symbols instead of the bass clef, and use the instrument’s built in auto-accompaniment backings. They play music in pop and jazz styles only, not classical.
Some skills are transferable between the two instruments, and pupils will often switch from one to the other. For example, pupils who start learning the electronic keyboard can successfully transfer to the piano at a later point, and a number of my own pupils who have done that have later gone on to study music at higher and further education.
Keyboard Grades
At present the ABRSM do not provide graded examinations for the electronic keyboard, although some other boards do. Private students are welcome to discuss with Andrew whether any of these exams might be suitable.
In general most electronic keyboard students learn purely for pleasure, and will often transfer to piano lessons if they are interested in pursuing music more seriously and gaining qualifications.
It is worth noting that the electronic keyboard is not an instrument featured in classical music, and learning the keyboard does not give students the traditional background that will prepare them for studying music at A' Level and beyond. However, many electronic keyboard students enjoy taking the Music Tech A' Level course and developing music recording and production skills.
Ultimately of course, learning to play the electronic keyboard is a great way to get into music, and a fantastic hobby in its own right. |
