Andrew Eales
@pianodao.bsky.social
🎹 Pianist, educator, published writer and composer based in Milton Keynes. Interested in drinking tea, practising qigong, and taking afternoon naps. I regularly blog about piano music, education and wellbeing at www.pianodao.com
Autumn is a time of dynamic change and possibility, the old giving way to the new. As the 'fall' approaches, let's take another look at our Active Repertoire and reflect on our piano goals for the coming months...⬇️
Autumn Repertoire Project
Autumn is a time of dynamic change and possibility, the old giving way to the new. As the 'fall' approaches, let's take another look at our Active Repertoire and reflect on our piano goals for the coming months.
pianodao.com
'Classics for Ten Fingers' is one of those books which has significantly exceeded my expectations. A really useful, inspiring, and superbly presented collection of easy arrangements of well-known and lesser-known classics, with teacher duet parts... here's my review ⬇️
Classics for Ten Fingers
‘Classics for Ten Fingers’ is an important publication which could not only change a child's learning, but set them on a lifetime journey of discovery, enjoyment, and deep enrichment.
pianodao.com
As we begin another academic year, here’s my annual roundup of the best new piano education resources I’ve reviewed in recent months, along with some essential classics that remain very current for 2026-27… ⬇️
Essential Piano Education Resources 2026-7
Discover the best new and classic piano education resources for 2026 with Pianodao's annual round up...
pianodao.com
In a year that has seen some excellent, focussed educational publications, ABRSM's new 'Encore Plus" books are another must-have success, offering a range of pieces primed for the exam room which I cannot imagine teachers will want to be without a set Click here to read my in-depth review and…
ABRSM • Encore Plus
In a year that has seen some excellent, focussed educational publications, ABRSM's new 'Encore Plus" books are another must-have success, offering a range of pieces primed for the exam room which I cannot imagine teachers will want to be without a set
pianodao.com
Alistair Watson's "First 50 Left-Hand Patterns" is a must-have guide for mastering essential left-hand techniques across musical styles. Click here to read my review on Pianodao: ⬇️
First 50 Left-Hand Patterns
Alistair Watson's "First 50 Left-Hand Patterns" is a must-have guide for mastering essential left-hand techniques across musical styles.
pianodao.com
'Classics for Ten Fingers' is one of those books which has significantly exceeded my expectations. A really useful, inspiring, and superbly presented collection of easy arrangements of well-known and lesser-known classics, with teacher duet parts... here's my review ⬇️
Classics for Ten Fingers
‘Classics for Ten Fingers’ is an important publication: one which could not only change a child's learning, but set them on a lifetime journey of discovery, enjoyment, and deep enrichment.
pianodao.com
Ben Andrew's 'Piano Scale Book' applies a unique visual approach to learning scales and arpeggios across every major and minor key (up to six sharps and flats). It is an easy recommendation to piano teachers, and deserves a place in every inclusive piano teaching studio... ⬇️
The Piano Scale Book
Ben Andrew's 'Piano Scale Book' applies a unique visual approach to learning scales and arpeggios across every major and minor key (up to six sharps and flats). It is an easy recommendation to piano teachers, and deserves a place in every inclusive piano teaching studio...
pianodao.com
If you are involved in organising concerts, festivals, piano events, or enter students for them, please read this article which explores the unique challenges ADHD pianists face and suggests ways in which we might foster a healthier, more inclusive performance culture… ⬇️
ADHD and piano competitions
In this article we explore the unique challenges ADHD pianists face in competitions, and consider ways in which we might foster a healthier, more inclusive performance culture.
pianodao.com
In this Guest Post, Karen Marshall demystifies the important principles of adaptive teaching and metacognition, and shows how we can all better support neurodivergent learners at the piano...⬇️
Adaptive Teaching and Metacognition
In this Guest Post, Karen Marshall demystifies the important principles of adaptive teaching and metacognition, and shows how we can all better support neurodivergent learners at the piano...
pianodao.com
'Here be Dragons' is undoubtedly one of the piano education highlights of the year so far, and deserves a place in the music collection of all late intermediate players (and of course their teachers). These are pieces which not only take flight, but which will elevate performers, and enchant their…
Jason Sifford • Here Be Dragons
Here be Dragons is undoubtedly one of the piano education highlights of the year so far, and deserves a place in the music collection of all late intermediate players (and of course their teachers). These are pieces which not only take flight, but which will elevate performers, and enchant their audiences.
pianodao.com
In case you missed it, this article explores the unique challenges ADHD pianists face in competitions, and considers ways in which we might foster a healthier, more inclusive performance culture. Breaking new ground, this article is for anyone who cares about inclusion in music education and…
ADHD and piano competitions
In this article we explore the unique challenges ADHD pianists face in competitions, and consider ways in which we might foster a healthier, more inclusive performance culture.
pianodao.com
How can we develop our own individual, personal voice at the piano, speaking on behalf of composers, but with our own unique dialect? Some reflections 👇
ADHD and piano competitions My latest article is a deeply personal one, which explores how ADHD can shape our experience of competitive performance. Given all the evidence we have, I believe that we urgently need to foster a broader,… https://pianodao.com/2026/08/08/adhd-and-piano-competitions/
ADHD and piano competitions
My latest article is a deeply personal one, which explores how ADHD can shape our experience of competitive performance. Given all the evidence we have, I believe that we urgently need to foster a broader, more inclusive culture of music-making that allows every pianist to flourish...
pianodao.com
In a world characterised by constant change, how can we keep our piano teaching fresh and thrive as able, but appropriately flexible professionals? Some thoughts ⬇️
The flexible piano teacher
In a world characterised by constant change, how can we keep our piano teaching fresh and thrive as able, but appropriately flexible professionals?
pianodao.com
This recent publication from Schott Music is a gem! These are superbly crafted and musically memorable intermediate piano pieces, and it is wonderful that they will introduce Cécile Chaminade's name to another generation of players 👇
Chaminade • Album des enfants
These superbly crafted and musically memorable intermediate piano pieces will, we must hope, introduce Chaminade's name to another generation of musicians.
pianodao.com
There are many good editions of the Debussy Préludes of 1910 and 1913, but the Baerenreiter versions must be considered as front runners. Here's my review from the Pianodao Music Library archives...⬇️
Debussy: Préludes pour piano
There are many good editions of the Debussy Préludes of 1910 and 1913, but these versions must be considered the front runners, unlikely to be surpassed...
pianodao.com
Are you bored by method-based teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano teaching isn't proving more fulfilling? If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano teaching in the 21st Century is for you! ⬇️
Putting the PLAY back into Playing the Piano
Are you bored by method-book teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano isn't proving more fulfilling? If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano education is for you!
pianodao.com
Paul Harris has an uncanny knack of producing game-changing publications which immediately impact the quality of instrumental teaching and learning for the better. 'Play with Rhythm!' is undoubtedly one of his most important resources yet, and I cannot recommend it highly enough... ⬇️
Paul Harris: Play with Rhythm!
Paul Harris has an uncanny knack of producing game-changing publications which immediately impact the quality of instrumental teaching and learning for the better. 'Play with Rhythm!' is undoubtedly one of his most important resources yet, and I cannot recommend it highly enough...
pianodao.com
Karen Marshall's 'Music & Neurodiversity' delivers an extraordinary wealth of material, including many road-tested teaching approaches that readers can immediately put into practice, and an abundance of personal insight and human interest. I suspect it will quickly become a key text..⬇️
Music & Neurodiversity
Karen Marshall's Music & Neurodiversity delivers an extraordinary wealth of material, including many road-tested teaching approaches that readers can immediately put into practice, and an abundance of personal insight and human interest. I suspect it will quickly become a key text.
pianodao.com
This article has been extensively rewritten to accommodate the latest scientific and educational research, and in particular the rise of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) as a framework for inclusive curriculum and assessment design ⬇️
Singing in Aural Tests: the Bottom Line
Evidence shows that compulsory singing in aural tests is neither reliable as a means to assessing musical listening skills and perception, nor appropriate in the context of statutory requirements for access and inclusion.
pianodao.com
'The Easiest Gillock Pieces' is a collection of 31 enjoyable pieces for elementary players by the great American educational composer, with added duet parts newly composed by Glenda Austin. I think it will make a brilliant addition in any piano teaching studio...⬇️
The Easiest Gillock Pieces
'The Easiest Gillock Pieces' offers 31 charming tunes for pre-Grade 1 pianists, complete with optional duet parts for added fun. I think it will make a brilliant addition in any piano teaching studio...
pianodao.com
Much is made of the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument, and rightly so. But perhaps the greatest of all these is this: developing patience. Are those eager to progress as quickly as possible in danger of missing the point, and losing out on an important benefit or piano…
The Pinnacle of Patience
Much is made of the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument, and rightly so. But perhaps the greatest of all is pinnacle of developing patience. Are those eager to progress as quickly as possible in danger of missing the point?
pianodao.com
Are you bored by method-based teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano teaching isn't proving more fulfilling? If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano teaching in the 21st Century is for you! ⬇️
Putting the PLAY back into Playing the Piano
Are you bored by method-book teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano isn't proving more fulfilling? If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano education is for you!
pianodao.com
Understanding the importance of equally training, nurturing, and developing our musical mind (understanding), body (technique), and soul (musicianship) empowers us to teach, learn, and practise the piano holistically...⬇️
The Three-Dimensional Pianist
Understanding the importance of the three dimensions of musical learning, Musical Mind, Body, and Soul, empowers us to teach, learn and practise music holistically, making effective and lasting progress.
pianodao.com
Following the popular successes of their recent piano syllabus publications, the @ABRSM 2027-28 piano selections have left many underwhelmed, genuinely disappointed, and even angry. So what went wrong? The Pianodao review provides an analysis of the highs and lows... click here ⬇️
ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2027/8
As ABRSM publish their 2027-28 Piano Syllabus, the big question is whether the latest pieces will live up to the board’s high standards. That's the question I hope to answer in the Pianodao review...
pianodao.com
Darragh Gilleece is an Irish pianist, composer and educator, whose pieces in these collections are traditional with a modern twist, imaginative, highly appealing, and packed with valuable learning content 👇
First Steps Piano
Darragh Gilleece is an Irish pianist, composer and educator, whose pieces in these collections are traditional with a modern twist, imaginative, highly appealing, and packed with valuable learning content.
pianodao.com
What will you be doing this summer? The summer months provide plenty of shared opportunity to celebrate our Active Repertoire #piano pieces with others. To join the Project, click right here ...⬇️
Summer Repertoire Project
The summer months provide plenty of shared opportunity to celebrate our Active Repertoire pieces with others. Join the Project here...
pianodao.com
Explore the deep connection between music exams and live performance, as pianist, teacher and ABRSM examiner Peter Noke discusses nurturing creativity in education in this powerful guest post...⬇️
Our Commitment to Music
In this acutely observed and beautifully nuanced guest post, well-known pianist, educator and examiner Peter Noke deftly explores the links between exam concerns and the musician's timeless commitment to live performance...
pianodao.com
Pianoworks Meditations is a brilliant collection of gentle and reflective pieces for the older beginner. Written with a focus on playing for enjoyment, these 24 original pieces guide the player through a range of styles, while aiding in relaxation and mindfulness...⬇️
Pianoworks • Meditations
Pianoworks Meditations is a brilliant collection of gentle and reflective pieces for the older beginner. Written with a focus on playing for enjoyment, these 24 original pieces guide the player through a range of styles, while aiding in relaxation and mindfulness.
pianodao.com
In this Guest Post, Karen Marshall demystifies the important principles of adaptive teaching and metacognition, and shows how we can all better support neurodivergent learners at the piano...⬇️
Adaptive Teaching and Metacognition
In this Guest Post, Karen Marshall demystifies the important principles of adaptive teaching and metacognition, and shows how we can all better support neurodivergent learners at the piano...
pianodao.com