Meet 11YO guitar 'grandmaster' Daniel Geiles, the youngest Indian to clear Grade 8 Rock & Pop exam
The Geiles family has been associated with classic rock and other genres for a while. Nigel Geiles was in a small band when he was in college. Now, he is a full-time guitar teacher. His brother John Geiles is a teacher at a private school in Hyderabad. The brothers will soon be joined by Nigel's son Daniel Geiles. The three hope to form a band.
By Amrutha Kosuru Published on 10 April 2022 10:37 AM GMT
Hyderabad: When Daniel Geiles picks up one of his 22 guitars, he plays it for hours. If someone were to ask him to play one of his favourite songs, he cannot choose; he'll play several.
Daniel Geiles is the youngest Indian to have cleared Grade 8 in Trinity College's Rock and Pop examination. He also received the title of 'grandmaster' in the Asian Book of Records.
Daniel is only 11 but he can play the guitar like a pro, and perhaps even on par with the AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young. One of Daniel's go-to songs is AC/DC's popular Back in Black, the song that also featured in 'Iron Man' and 'Spider-man: Far from Home'.
He plays the guitar with such precision that people often find it difficult to believe that he only began learning the guitar in February 2020. "It took Danny only two years to reach Grade 8," says his father, Nigel.
The Geiles family has been associated with classic rock and other genres for a while. Nigel Geiles was in a small band when he was in college. Now, he is a full-time guitar teacher. His brother John Geiles is a teacher at a private school in Hyderabad. The brothers will soon be joined by Nigel's son Daniel Geiles. The three hope to form a band.
Daniel wasn't interested in playing the guitar at first. But one day, he picked it up and learned all he could from his father, and there was no turning back.
"Trinity College offers musical courses for various instruments in the form of grades. Each grade usually takes a year to complete. In fact, I haven't cleared Grade 8 till now," Nigel says. He couldn't take up the course as he was occupied with teaching. Nigel has almost 30-35 students under him, half of them are from various countries like the US, UK, and others.
Nigel and John say that the pace at which Daniel picked up the guitar is amazing. "It is nothing like we have ever seen and I am not saying this because he's my son. But I have taught hundreds of students and Daniel truly has a talent for it," Nigel says.
"With Daniel so good at guitar, I can concentrate on my vocals. Daniel, my brother John, and I hope to perform together soon," adds Nigel.
Daniel is scheduled to play in Goa in May 2023. "They said they informed me more than a year early so that I don't cancel on them," he says.
Daniel has previously performed in various cafes in Sainikpuri like the Coffee Cup. He hopes to play in various parts of India and also at the Wembley Stadium, UK.
He has a personal collection of 18 electric guitars and four acoustic guitars.
Now that Daniel has surpassed his father's skills, he is being tutored by eminent guitarist Sumit Ramachandran.
About the Geiles family:
Daniel Great Grandfather father. J.F. Powell was the band master of the Nizam Band in 1940's. His son George Powell took over as the band master of the Hyderabad Police band (after independence in 1948).
George Powell's Sister - Francina Geiles (Daniel's grandmother) loved music very much. She taugh music to Nigel, John and all their cousins.
The Geiles family is filled with musicians. According to Nigel, his children Daniel and Mary are perhaps the 5th or 6th generation musician. "Everyone in my family knows at least one instrument," he says.
