The Pro Keyboardist's Handbook: Keyboard/Piano Book & CD

This handbook bridges the gap between conservatory training and the realities of professional keyboard work. Dryden writes from genuine studio and touring experience, offering practical counsel on business decisions, sound design, and improvisation that most textbooks skip entirely. It's the kind of resource a young keyboardist wishes they'd had before their first paying gig.

Honest and grounded. You're getting the unfiltered perspective of someone who has lived the life you're considering, complete with the unglamorous realities alongside the genuine rewards of being a working musician.

This book serves keyboard players and pianists who are serious about transitioning from hobbyist to professional musician. Whether you're in your first touring band, considering studio work, or trying to understand the business side of keyboard performance, Dryden's counsel speaks directly to your situation.

• Study the solo transcriptions and techniques in the CD alongside the text; hearing the examples performed removes ambiguity about timing, articulation, and tone choices that notation alone cannot convey.
• Practice the songwriting strategies by recording your own keyboard ideas and critiquing them against the principles Dryden outlines; this trains your ear to recognize what works in professional contexts.
• Work through the band integration sections while playing along with various backing tracks, focusing on when to sit back and when to drive the arrangement forward.
• Apply the sound selection guidance to your own keyboard by experimenting with timbres while learning the repertoire examples, building confidence in making professional sonic choices quickly.

Use this resource in advanced private studio lessons with aspiring professional keyboardists, particularly those preparing for their first professional gigs or considering music as a career path. It also serves as a supplementary text in college keyboard programs where career preparation is part of the curriculum.

• Solo improvisation and arrangement techniques
• Professional sound selection and keyboard programming
• Songwriting and composition for commercial contexts
• Band integration and ensemble keyboard playing
• Business navigation and professional musician decision-making