Press refresh: taking a new approach to keyboards in the music classroom

Only music teachers truly understand the emotional turmoil that a demo button from a Casio keyboard can cause; the classroom chaos that can ensue from a student who works out how to play ‘the melody’ exclusively using animal noises. We grit our teeth and try to bring the focus back. I believe these seeming acts of defiance and protest, however, should not be ignored or redirected. I think these actions are a cry for help, a cry for sonic freedom. There is a sound world out there, which students experience every day, and they are hungry to reach it.

With a new perspective, I believe we can refresh the keyboard in the classroom and set students free in an exciting sonic world. In this article I will be examining how our perspective of the piano can stifle creativity. I will look at how, by recognising the piano's limitations and influence, we can inspire more students to access keyboard instruments and craft their own unique sound. You can listen to the accompanying podcast episode where I chat in depth with the truly modern artist ‘Arthr’ about synthesisers, keyboards and even the world of NFTs.