On the Backs of Angels: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This transcription collection gives keyboardists direct access to Jordan Rudess's technically demanding and harmonically sophisticated voicings exactly as performed on Dream Theater's recordings. Chris Romero's transcription work, completed in consultation with Rudess himself, removes the guesswork from learning these pieces and opens doors to understanding progressive metal composition from a keyboard perspective. For advanced pianists interested in contemporary classical-level technique applied to rock music, this collection offers legitimately challenging material that demands serious musical growth.

Technically sprawling and harmonically dense, these transcriptions showcase keyboard writing that moves seamlessly between atmospheric, synth-like textures and rapid, almost classical-level finger work. The collection feels both cerebral and visceral, demanding complete focus while rewarding deep engagement with every phrase.

Advanced pianists and keyboard players with solid technique and experience reading complex time signatures, extended harmonies, and rapid sixteenth-note passages. This collection serves musicians who already know Dream Theater's music and want to understand exactly how these pieces are realized at the keyboard, including those pursuing progressive rock and metal styles or studying contemporary composition approaches that blend classical technique with rock idioms.

• Study the chord symbols alongside the notated keyboard part to understand voice leading choices and how Rudess constructs his progressions across multiple registers.
• Isolate individual sections and work at a slow tempo with a metronome, focusing on hand independence and the coordination required for rapid passage work.
• Reference the original Dream Theater recordings while learning; hearing Rudess's tone, pedal usage, and rhythmic nuances will inform your interpretation and help clarify passages that notation alone cannot fully capture.
• Pay attention to the notated octave registers and keyboard technique markings, as Rudess often spreads voicings across the full keyboard range to create specific textural effects.

This transcription book is not designed for ensemble performance or recital programming in traditional contexts; it functions as a serious study and reference resource for individual keyboardists working to master progressive metal composition and performance. Use it as a semester-long or year-long project for advanced students exploring contemporary keyboard writing, or as a reference guide for musicians arranging or composing their own progressive material.

• Reading and executing rapid sixteenth-note passages across the full keyboard range
• Interpreting complex time signatures and polymetric figures in a rock context
• Understanding advanced harmonic voicings and how they function in progressive metal composition
• Developing left-hand independence and comfort with wide intervallic leaps
• Coordinating melody, chord voicings, and rhythmic figures across both hands simultaneously
• Analyzing keyboard texture and tone selection choices in relation to harmonic content