Customer Reviews

Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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).

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.

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.

This book has some really intense drills in it. If your looking to push your piano skills to the next level, no matter where your at currently, this book will do it! Be forewarned though, it has some advanced stuff in it too, so if your a beginner, then theres some things that you may not catch onto without the aid of your teacher, but all in all, this is an awesome book and if you haven't seen the video jordan put out called KEYBOARD WIZARDRY, then do your self a favor and pick that up and some of the stuff in this book will make alot more sense.

This book has been very helpful for me especially in the area of building extra strength in my fingers with the many different finger excersises that are covered within. Jordan Rudess is without a doubt, a master of the keyboards. This book gives the reader a better understanding to some of his approaches to warming up and playing the keyz. I am extremely satisfied with the instruction that is inside these pages that is always there at the ready waiting for me to pick up and learn. I wish I could devote more time to mastering each and every lesson that the book contains. If one could do that, then they would totally be a keyboard wizard! Although some of the techniques are a little advanced, I believe that there is a little something here for everyone. I highly recommend this instructional masterpiece!

This is an excellent book for mastering technique. You get good rhythm excercises and other great stuff for your fingers.
Some of it is also taught in Jordan Rudess' Keyboard Wizardry Video, which I also recommend. Buy it at jordanrudess.com

This is truly an excellent book by perhaps the best keyboard player in the entire world (keyboard, not jazz, classical or anything like this, but it is rather hard to define).

There was a video on YouTube that must have been illegally ripped from the DVD that you can also order. I actually prefer the book not the DVD version, and I was disappointed to see it pulled.

He is playing a Kurzweil, but he has since moved on to something newer, as the Kurzweil, although upgradable, unlike almost any other keyboard, is starting to show its age. However, the keyboard he has chosen is
about 8,000 dollars, which is way out of the budget of most keyboardists.And when I looked into it, I prefer what I have, as what he has does not have FM nor any type of physical modeling technology, which I prefer to most other synthesis methods.

At any rate, this is a really good book, more than worth paying for, and Amazon gives you a discount that you can never find in a brick-and-mortar retail music store or rarely on online music sites.

I try to support local stores, but the owner only local music store in San Diego where they sell sheet music books has taught each of her employees to be incredibly rude to her customers, so I finally gave up going there.

I have bought many (maybe hundreds) of piano help books. This one is easily both the best and the most helpful. I have played the piano for years. After only a few hours with this book I am playing better than I ever dreamed possible.

If you want to take your keyboard skills to the next leverl, this is the book you have been waiting for!!