The Contemporary Keyboardist by John Novello is a highly regarded 576-page comprehensive guide, often referred to as a "bible" for modern piano and keyboard players. Originally published in 1986 and later expanded, it is designed to take keyboardists from intermediate to advanced levels across various genres. Key Features of the Book Comprehensive Structure:
Conclusion
The Contemporary Keyboardist remains a landmark text because it treats keyboard playing as a holistic craft—melding the physical, harmonic, rhythmic, and technological. John Novello’s systematic yet creative approach empowered a generation of players to move beyond sheet music and “play what they feel” across genres. For any serious student of pop, jazz, or R&B keyboards, the book is less a tutorial and more a lifelong reference. As Novello writes in the preface: “The goal is not to play correct notes, but to play music that breathes.” the contemporary keyboardist john novello pdf
Which would you like? (Or specify another option.) The Contemporary Keyboardist by John Novello is a
Whether you are a bedroom producer triggering MIDI controllers or a classical refugee trying to learn a blues scale, acquire this book in its digital form. Put it on your tablet. Open it every day. Practice for 20 minutes. In one year, you will no longer be a "keyboardist who owns the PDF." You will simply be a Contemporary Keyboardist. (Or specify another option
Phase 1: The Foundation (Chapters 1-3) Do not skip the finger independence exercises. Novello uses non-standard fingerings designed for organ and synth action, not weighted piano keys. Practice these with a metronome for two weeks before moving on.