Noah Baerman: The Versatile Keybordist (book+cd)

Written by Noah Baerman, The Versatile Keyboardist is a 96-page instructional book specifically designed for keyboardists and pianists. Its goal is to develop well-rounded musicians who can easily adapt to various musical situations. The book is ideal for players who already have foundational technique but want to expand their skills outside their comfort zone.

Key Sections and Content:

• Diverse Range of Styles: The book introduces the fundamentals of several musical genres, including rock, reggae, jazz, blues, funk, and classical music.
• Concrete Examples and History: Rather than just scratching the surface, each style features its history and major pioneers. The playing examples and exercises are based on real, well-known songs, helping students understand how a great keyboard part is constructed.
• Music Theory and Playing Technique: Beyond genres, the book deepens general music theory and teaches practical concepts such as utilizing scales, chords, and rhythms. It provides tools for both independent solo playing and effective accompaniment in a band setting.
• Accompanying CD: The book comes with an instructional audio CD featuring all the notated examples from the text. This allows students to listen to the correct phrasing, grooves, and what improvisation should sound like in each specific style.

The book has been praised for helping players remove their "stylistic limitations," making them more sought-after musicians for project bands and studio sessions.