Learn to play the electronic keyboard
I am pleased to announce that the second edition of book 1 is now on sale.
There are a few small changes to the piece “On the Banks of Ohio”, which now enables students to practise minim rests as well as crotchet rests.
Secondly there are a few less chord changes to manage in the piece “End of the Road”, to enable students to focus more on the introduction of quaver rhythms.
Otherwise, everything else in the book is the same.
So now is the perfect time to start a new hobby while we are in lock-down and forced to stay indoors!
Always wanted to learn a musical instrument but never thought you had the time? Ready to dust down that old electronic keyboard lying at the back of your cupboard? Or are you looking for
extra activities for your child/teenager whilst school is taking place at home?
Why not teach yourself or your child how to play the keyboard and read music notation using Keysurfers Book 1, which is a step by step, easy to follow guide. Perfect to use by yourself or for helping young people start out on their musical journey.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a teacher, I am giving music lessons by Skype. Get in touch via the comment box below for prices and available time slots. I am DBS checked and can email you a copy of the safety procedures put in place by my employer, the Milton Keynes Music Co-operative. All you need is to download the app and set up your phone/tablet at an angle which shows your keyboard then we are good to go!
The fourth book in the Keysurfers series is now available and is suitable for more advanced players. The level of this book is aimed at players who are Grade 4 /5 standard and it can be used alongside the exam books to reinforce work covered in the exams. It includes pieces and scales with 4, 5 and 6 sharps and flats, as well as introducing the Blues scale. Major seventh chords are introduced and other extended chords, such as augmented and diminished chords.
There are plenty of opportunities to practise using these chords in new and fun pieces. More keyboard effects are introduced and use of the record button is explained. There are also ensemble pieces in the book and surprise arrangements of more familiar tunes, such as “Frere Jacque” and “It’s a long way to Tipperary”!
I am delighted that I have recently been appointed an examiner with ABRSM. This will involve
examining all the grades, from Grade 1 to ARSM level, on all the instruments. However, electronic
keyboard exams still have to be taken with Trinity as the ABRSM exams do not cover keyboard. I’m
looking forward to a new challenge after writing the Keysurfers series.
Hot off the press, Keysurfers book 3 has now arrived! This book is Intermediate level and would be a useful book to use alongside the Trinity Guildhall Grade 3 exam book. Using an additional book helps to re-enforce the work covered in the exams, extends a person’s repertoire, and not least, relieves the monotony of solely working towards exams! Continue reading “Keysurfers 3 – Intermediate level keyboard tuition”
Keysurfers 2 builds on the skills learnt in book 1. It covers the scales and key signatures needed to take Grade 1 and is a great book to learn along side the Trinity Grade 1 exam book. It explains compound time, dotted crotchet/quaver rhythms, semiquavers and syncopation. Continue reading “About Keysurfers 2”
There are many different makes and sizes of electronic keyboard, each with different features. Ideally, a good size electronic keyboard for beginners would have at least 5 octaves and 61 full sized keys. The minimum requirement to fully benefit from the example pieces in Keysurfers, would be 49 full sized keys and 4 octaves. Continue reading “Selecting a suitable keyboard for beginners”
The start of the new school term is the perfect time to be thinking about learning a new instrument, or if you are a teacher, deciding what material to use for your lessons. Look no further! Keysurfers 1 is the first book in an exciting new series for electronic keyboard students. Continue reading “Keysurfers 1 – Learn to play the electronic keyboard”