Breaking All Illusions: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives keyboardists direct access to Jordan Rudess's actual playing on these tracks, transcribed in consultation with Rudess himself. Rather than approximating what you hear, you get the exact voicings, runs, and technical choices that make Dream Theater's keyboard work so distinctive. For any keyboardist serious about prog, this is source material from the master.

Intricate, demanding, and deeply rewarding. These pieces shift between moments of orchestral grandeur and rapid-fire technical passages that require both precision and musicality. The writing reveals how keyboards can function as a lead instrument in heavy music without sacrificing harmonic sophistication.

Intermediate to advanced keyboardists who are committed to understanding modern progressive rock technique and are willing to invest serious practice time. This collection suits musicians already familiar with Dream Theater's sound and eager to unlock the mechanics behind it, rather than those new to the band or looking for introductory material.

• Study the rhythmic relationships between keyboard and drums before focusing on raw speed. Rudess's lines sit in specific grooves that may not be obvious on first reading.
• Map out hand positions and fingerings that work for your hand size before attempting tempo. The stretches and crossovers in these pieces demand planning.
• Listen to the album recording while following the chart to internalize the tone and articulation. Knowing the sound you're aiming for prevents purely mechanical playing.
• Break longer passages into shorter sections and master each one independently. These aren't pieces that reward pushing through; they require careful, deliberate practice.

Feature individual selections as recital pieces that demonstrate advanced keyboard technique to audiences familiar with progressive rock. You might also use this collection as a teaching resource in one-on-one lessons, assigning passages to keyboardists who have shown readiness for music that challenges their technical range.

• Playing complex synth voicings and layering techniques
• Managing rapid left-hand patterns while maintaining melodic control in the right hand
• Reading dense harmonic progressions without relying on chord symbols alone
• Executing extended techniques such as wide interval jumps and cross-hand passages
• Coordinating keyboard lines with distorted guitars and driving rhythm sections