The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded [Plastic Comb]

John Novello (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

This comprehensive, 562-page method, called "Solid, readable and relevant" by Keyboard magazine and "The major work for today's pianists" by International Musician, is divided into four sections. The first, "A Philosophy of Music," deals with communication, cause-effect principles and practice disciplines. The second section, "Mechanics," covers all the basics of keyboard music and playing (notation, harmony, improv, sight reading, etc.), as well as their applications. The third section, "The Business Scene," contains guidelines and industry advice for contemporary keyboardists. Section four, "Interviews," provides insights into the artistry and technique of famous players such as Herbie Hancock, Henry Mancini, Edgar Winter, Keith Emerson, Paul Shaffer and many more. Includes an index.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 576 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; Rev Exp edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634010913
• ISBN-13: 978-0634010910
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the "keyboardist" bible, April 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Plastic Comb)

john novello's contemporary keyboardist is a complete guide to become an professional modern keyboardist. it features hundreds of easy exercices in many different music areas such as basic rithim, improvisation, advanced harmony etc... plus many interviews with today's most important jazz players such as herbie hancock, chick corea etc... A MUST.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book full of technic insight, November 2, 2010

By 

Deanna S. Neeley "Teachaway" (Ogden, Ut USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Plastic Comb)

John Novello's Chapter three puts the art of music in perspective by making the student commit to a practice strategy. The practice strategy is key to this book because without it you probably won't get very far in your own music development. His pre-practice, practice, post-practice and playing operating standard is really good and should be a standard for every keyboard instructor. The book is very good and I would recommend it. It is over 550 pages long and I like the comb binding which is good for keyboardists. The only fault I can find with the book is the assignments section at the end of the chapters. I know for a lot of students, they would want a more concrete answer list somewhere so they could at least have confirmation of their own thinking to guide them towards a more productive experience with the book. This book is for the advanced keyboardist.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Reference, July 18, 2006

By 

Tom Valdez (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Plastic Comb)

John Novello is an amazing musician. Having a book that gives insite into his approach would be quite valuable all by itself, but he has put together a very comprehensive work that is a must have for any musician looking to expand his/her knowledge and abilities. In this modern age where the electronic keyboard provides the easiest access to the world of instrumentation, as a songwriter/arranger I find John's Contemporary Keyboardist to be an essential reference, especially as my main instrument is the guitar.