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Keyquest Music is the private teaching practice and music education business of pianist, composer and consultant Andrew Eales B.Mus, A.R.C.M

 

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“Andrew has taught both my children keyboard and piano for more than 5 years with outstanding results. He inspires a passion and motivation along with a strong sense of discipline. As a family we find Andrew friendly and engaging and more importantly sparks an imagination with the kids looking for new material to play -Classical to Adele! With Andrew there isn't a written rule. He will always do the best for your child."
Alexia Welham
 

"It's hard to express in words just how grateful I am to Andrew for all the lessons and all the guidance. I wouldn't be where I am today - about to head off for University - were it not for Andrew never giving up on me, and pushing to get the very best out of me. I couldn't have hoped for a better teacher, or a better friend....

...Andrew Rocks!"

Bradley Jordan

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ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD LESSONS

 

Andrew Eales is widely regarded as one of the leading electronic keyboard teachers in the UK today, and enjoys a growing international reputation for his expertise in keyboard education. His method is used by keyboard teachers throughout the UK and beyond.

 

Andrew's pupils generally use his best-selling Keyquest Books »as the basis of their initial learning, supplemented by pieces that they are especially keen to learn. This ensures that his students are highly motivated in their learning, while developing sound musical skills that will enable them to fulfill their potential as players.

 

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:

  • Good technique, finger independence and freedom of movement at the keyboard.
  • Musicianship, including making the best use of the musical resources offered by the modern digital keyboard
  • Creativity. Composition and Improvisation are a regular part of students' playing. 
  • Arrangement. Andrew shows pupils how they can personalise their playing and develop genuine creativity and expression in their playing.
  • Good understanding of the music. 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 also move on to learning the piano with him. 

 

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! 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PIANO AND KEYBOARD


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


Keyboard grades are currently available through the Trinity Guildhall examination board, and Andrew is happy to enter students for these where appropriate. However, he generally finds that most electronic keyboard students learn purely for pleasure; some choose to learn keyboard specifically to avoid taking grades!

It is also 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. Pupils will often transfer to piano lessons if they are interested in pursuing music more seriously and gaining qualifications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keyquest Music