Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook [Paperback]

Jordan Rudess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Take your playing to the next level with Jordan Rudess, the Juilliard-trained, award-winning keyboardist of Dream Theater! Work at your own pace to improve your skills in physical technique, improvisation, soloing and comping with clear, easy-to-follow directions and exercises that create real results. With beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that cover everything from classical technique to blazing prog-rock solos and beyond, this book has something for keyboardists of all styles. A CD of the exercises is included - played by the master himself! - as are 12 solo-worthy etudes and a valuable appendix with major and minor arpeggio and scale fingerings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Cherry Lane Music (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575606798
• ISBN-13: 978-1575606798
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Keyboard

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An ambitious, yet flawed method book, February 6, 2007

By 

reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Paperback)

I think it was a really cool idea to split the instruction up into beginner/intermediate/advanced levels as well as technique/improv/etc. The overall approach is very refreshing compared to more traditional piano methods. I like the pep talks Jordan gives in between the exercises. My piano teacher thought that the easy technique section's exercises were too easy, but I've found a way to apply them to all kinds of trouble spots in songs. The harmony section has some cool ideas, and I like the etudes that Jordan inculdes focusing on a point.

Overall, well worth the money, though I can't help voicing some complaints. The grading is a little wierd. It seems like some things in the easy sections are very easy, but then they'll be a run or something that is kind of frusterating and in my opinion not meant for an "easy section." In fact the easy and intermediate sections are really fairly similar in difficulty, and then the advanced just shoots off into a realm that I couldn't dream of playing. The improv and leads sections are a little weak. The improv section just tells you to start improvising on a restricted basis (one, two , three notes) and build complexity. The musical examples you're supposed to learn in this section - written in standard musical notation, seem a little inappropriate. The pep talks in the lead section were pretty weak. The advice is basically to pick a scale and solo using it. Then there's more examples to learn. There's a few licks I got from these examples, but I can't say that they're mind-blowing solos in general (unless you're good enouph for the advanced section). Also, there are only a few keys used for examples, so be perpared to do some transposing.

Honestly, I'd buy this book 100 times over, just in using it so much I've noticed all the little things (and it's more fun to complain).

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not recommended, July 22, 2006

By 

P. Brady "UncleBen210" (U.k.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Paperback)

This publication is as much use as the box it came in, if Rudess wasn't famous this book wouldn't have been published, fact.
There are much better FREE resources for keyboard and piano on the net , in particular forums. I was expecially insulted that a massive portion of the book was just an appendix of major and minor arpeggio and scale fingerings, easily and cheaply acquired elsewhere , obviously a lame attempt to fill space.
The only aspect of the product I wouldn't dismiss as sub-par is the enclosed audio cd which cleans up the mess a little.
I waited 2 months for delivery!
Please research if considering.

3.0 out of 5 stars dream theater practice technique, September 10, 2011

By 

tom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Paperback)

I haven't bought this book, but I have practiced some of Jordan Rudess's techniques from other sources. The techniques are good practice. Of course if you want to be like Bach or Beethoven, you will have to go into much more extensive exercises. But if your into most Pop music then this book would be good for you. I tried the fingering exercises and it helped me tremendously. The techniques have opened up my creative side much more. I find myself trying more challenging fingering patterns now. In that it is a big accomplishment for me. If your intermediate or a beginner this book will help. If your advanced it may not be enough of a challenge. I consider myself intermediate, and I plan on buying this book.