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Keyboard for Commercial Music Production

Essential Skills for Music Producers, Songwriters, Audio Engineers, Studio Composers, and Creative Musicians

Andy Villemez

This is a comprehensive guide designed to build foundational keyboard skills for musicians pursuing careers in the commercial music industry. It provides a well-rounded approach focusing on music reading, keyboard technique, music theory, harmonization, aural skills, and creativity for people whose secondary instrument is the piano.

The book features six units that integrate practical and creative objectives, including fluency in reading music scores, chord charts, and lead sheets, as well as the ability to play and arrange with confidence. Whether you're composing, arranging, or performing, musicians will work more efficiently with DAWs (digital audio workstation software) while also enhancing their understanding of chords, progressions, and harmonization. Special features include prompts to encourage reflective practice, real-world applications, and exercises in diverse styles such as classical, pop, funk, and R&B.

Students and working professionals will be able to perform with fluency using the Nashville Number System, compose with a professional sound, and customize their practice routines for long-term growth. This is a versatile resource for both individual learners, private lessons, and group piano instruction.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 242 • Trim: 8¾ x 11¼
979-8-8818-0022-2 • Hardback • January 2025 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
979-8-8818-0023-9 • Paperback • January 2025 • $42.00 • (£35.00)
979-8-8818-0024-6 • eBook • January 2025 • $40.00 • (£30.00)
Subjects: Music / Musical Instruments / Piano & Keyboard, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises, Music / Recording & Reproduction

Andy Villemez is an educator, composer, author, and performer based in Cincinnati, OH where he serves as associate professor of piano and piano pedagogy at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He teaches courses in piano literature, music pedagogy, and keyboard musicianship for music industry majors. His research focuses on the development of teaching strategies and educational materials that empower students with well-rounded musicianship and long-lasting creativity.

Preface

Foundations

UNIT ONE

Five Finger Patterns

Practicing Five Finger Patterns

Music for Reading (Treble)

Music for Reading (Bass)

Music for Reading (Grand Staff)

Triads 101

Practicing Triads

Lead Sheet Reading

Chord Charts

Introduction to Rhythm Exercises

Solo Repertoire

Introduction to Harmonization

Identifying Triads by Ear

Melodic Playback

Unit One Melodies for Playback: Instructor Page

ADVANCED TOPICS I: How the Pros Practice

Practice Strategy Journal Page

UNIT TWO

Building Major and Minor Scales

The Foundations of Scale Practice

Scale Groupings

Practicing Scales – Essential Patterns and Variations

Scalar Melodies and Basslines

Music for Reading

Lead Sheet Reading

Unit 2 Rhythm Drills

Diatonic Triads and Nashville Numbers

Chord Charts

Chord Functions and Harmonization

Melodies to Harmonize

Reharmonization with Simple Substitution

Melodies to Harmonize (and Reharmonize)

Unit Two Diatonic Triads Playback

Unit Two Melodies for Playback

UNIT THREE

Chord Inversions

Practicing Chord Inversions

Expanded Scale Practice (Group 1 and 2)

Intro to Keyboard Style

Keyboard Style Reading

Lead Sheets

Keyboard Style with Chord Charts

Common Chord Progressions with Triads

Harmonization with Target Chords and Types of Cadences

Unit Three Diatonic Triads Playback

Unit Three Melodies for Playback

Unit Three Rhythm Drills

Twinkle Twinkle Challenge

Solo Repertoire: Petite Prelude

Composing with Chord Inversions

ADVANCED TOPICS II: Understanding Performance Mistakes

UNIT FOUR

Scale Fingering Review

Expanded Scale Practice (Group 3)

Technique: Introduction to Hanon

Music for Reading (Riffs and Basslines)

Solo Repertoire

Samba (Duet)

Lead Sheet Reading

Creating Basic Accompaniment Patterns

Common Chord Progressions with Triads

Chord Charts with Accompaniment Patterns

Harmonization with Mode Mixture

Melodies to Harmonize

Unit Four Diatonic Triads Playback

Unit Four Melodies for Playback

Unit Four Rhythm Drills

UNIT FIVE

Introduction to 7th Chords

7th Chord Building and ID Practice

Practicing 7th Chords

Lead Sheet with 7th Chords

Keyboard Style with 7th Chords

Lead Sheet Reading with 7th Chords

Chord Charts with 7th Chords

Common Chord Progressions with 7th Chords

Diatonic 7th Chords in Major Keys

7th Chord Functions and Harmonization

Unit Five Rhythm Drills

Solo Repertoire

Unit Five Harmonic Playback

Unit Five Melodies for Playback

ADVANCED TOPICS III: Writing Great Melodies

UNIT SIX

Transilient Scales

Building Pentatonic Scales

Building Blues Scales

Practicing Transilient Scales

Riffs and Melodies with Transilient Scales

7th Chord Inversions

Practicing 7th Chord Inversions

Lead Sheets with 7th Chords

Chord Charts with 7th Chords

Diatonic Chord Exercises and Secondary Chords

Harmonizing with Secondary Functions and Displacement

Extra Melodies for Harmonization

Unit Six Rhythm Drills with Beat Patterns

Lead Sheet Ensembles

Solo Repertoire

Final Project: Arranging a Tune

Acknowledgements

This is a practical and essential well-rounded text for the growing era of keyboardists who can “do-it-all.” Andy Villemez introduces relevant keyboard skills with a problem-solving and process-oriented approach that embraces different musical styles (pop, folk, classical, rock, jazz, etc.) while building confidence with digital audio workstations and overall practice and performance.


— Annie Jeng, assistant professor of piano and piano pedagogy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


Keyboard for Commercial Music Production covers relevant concepts and provides a full range of exercises designed specifically to equip and reinforce the skills necessary for effective work in the realm of commercial music production.


— Christopher Fisher, professor of piano, Ohio University; author, Teaching Piano in Groups


Keyboard for Commercial Music Production

Essential Skills for Music Producers, Songwriters, Audio Engineers, Studio Composers, and Creative Musicians

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • This is a comprehensive guide designed to build foundational keyboard skills for musicians pursuing careers in the commercial music industry. It provides a well-rounded approach focusing on music reading, keyboard technique, music theory, harmonization, aural skills, and creativity for people whose secondary instrument is the piano.

    The book features six units that integrate practical and creative objectives, including fluency in reading music scores, chord charts, and lead sheets, as well as the ability to play and arrange with confidence. Whether you're composing, arranging, or performing, musicians will work more efficiently with DAWs (digital audio workstation software) while also enhancing their understanding of chords, progressions, and harmonization. Special features include prompts to encourage reflective practice, real-world applications, and exercises in diverse styles such as classical, pop, funk, and R&B.

    Students and working professionals will be able to perform with fluency using the Nashville Number System, compose with a professional sound, and customize their practice routines for long-term growth. This is a versatile resource for both individual learners, private lessons, and group piano instruction.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 242 • Trim: 8¾ x 11¼
    979-8-8818-0022-2 • Hardback • January 2025 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
    979-8-8818-0023-9 • Paperback • January 2025 • $42.00 • (£35.00)
    979-8-8818-0024-6 • eBook • January 2025 • $40.00 • (£30.00)
    Subjects: Music / Musical Instruments / Piano & Keyboard, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises, Music / Recording & Reproduction
Author
Author
  • Andy Villemez is an educator, composer, author, and performer based in Cincinnati, OH where he serves as associate professor of piano and piano pedagogy at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He teaches courses in piano literature, music pedagogy, and keyboard musicianship for music industry majors. His research focuses on the development of teaching strategies and educational materials that empower students with well-rounded musicianship and long-lasting creativity.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Preface

    Foundations

    UNIT ONE

    Five Finger Patterns

    Practicing Five Finger Patterns

    Music for Reading (Treble)

    Music for Reading (Bass)

    Music for Reading (Grand Staff)

    Triads 101

    Practicing Triads

    Lead Sheet Reading

    Chord Charts

    Introduction to Rhythm Exercises

    Solo Repertoire

    Introduction to Harmonization

    Identifying Triads by Ear

    Melodic Playback

    Unit One Melodies for Playback: Instructor Page

    ADVANCED TOPICS I: How the Pros Practice

    Practice Strategy Journal Page

    UNIT TWO

    Building Major and Minor Scales

    The Foundations of Scale Practice

    Scale Groupings

    Practicing Scales – Essential Patterns and Variations

    Scalar Melodies and Basslines

    Music for Reading

    Lead Sheet Reading

    Unit 2 Rhythm Drills

    Diatonic Triads and Nashville Numbers

    Chord Charts

    Chord Functions and Harmonization

    Melodies to Harmonize

    Reharmonization with Simple Substitution

    Melodies to Harmonize (and Reharmonize)

    Unit Two Diatonic Triads Playback

    Unit Two Melodies for Playback

    UNIT THREE

    Chord Inversions

    Practicing Chord Inversions

    Expanded Scale Practice (Group 1 and 2)

    Intro to Keyboard Style

    Keyboard Style Reading

    Lead Sheets

    Keyboard Style with Chord Charts

    Common Chord Progressions with Triads

    Harmonization with Target Chords and Types of Cadences

    Unit Three Diatonic Triads Playback

    Unit Three Melodies for Playback

    Unit Three Rhythm Drills

    Twinkle Twinkle Challenge

    Solo Repertoire: Petite Prelude

    Composing with Chord Inversions

    ADVANCED TOPICS II: Understanding Performance Mistakes

    UNIT FOUR

    Scale Fingering Review

    Expanded Scale Practice (Group 3)

    Technique: Introduction to Hanon

    Music for Reading (Riffs and Basslines)

    Solo Repertoire

    Samba (Duet)

    Lead Sheet Reading

    Creating Basic Accompaniment Patterns

    Common Chord Progressions with Triads

    Chord Charts with Accompaniment Patterns

    Harmonization with Mode Mixture

    Melodies to Harmonize

    Unit Four Diatonic Triads Playback

    Unit Four Melodies for Playback

    Unit Four Rhythm Drills

    UNIT FIVE

    Introduction to 7th Chords

    7th Chord Building and ID Practice

    Practicing 7th Chords

    Lead Sheet with 7th Chords

    Keyboard Style with 7th Chords

    Lead Sheet Reading with 7th Chords

    Chord Charts with 7th Chords

    Common Chord Progressions with 7th Chords

    Diatonic 7th Chords in Major Keys

    7th Chord Functions and Harmonization

    Unit Five Rhythm Drills

    Solo Repertoire

    Unit Five Harmonic Playback

    Unit Five Melodies for Playback

    ADVANCED TOPICS III: Writing Great Melodies

    UNIT SIX

    Transilient Scales

    Building Pentatonic Scales

    Building Blues Scales

    Practicing Transilient Scales

    Riffs and Melodies with Transilient Scales

    7th Chord Inversions

    Practicing 7th Chord Inversions

    Lead Sheets with 7th Chords

    Chord Charts with 7th Chords

    Diatonic Chord Exercises and Secondary Chords

    Harmonizing with Secondary Functions and Displacement

    Extra Melodies for Harmonization

    Unit Six Rhythm Drills with Beat Patterns

    Lead Sheet Ensembles

    Solo Repertoire

    Final Project: Arranging a Tune

    Acknowledgements

Reviews
Reviews
  • This is a practical and essential well-rounded text for the growing era of keyboardists who can “do-it-all.” Andy Villemez introduces relevant keyboard skills with a problem-solving and process-oriented approach that embraces different musical styles (pop, folk, classical, rock, jazz, etc.) while building confidence with digital audio workstations and overall practice and performance.


    — Annie Jeng, assistant professor of piano and piano pedagogy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


    Keyboard for Commercial Music Production covers relevant concepts and provides a full range of exercises designed specifically to equip and reinforce the skills necessary for effective work in the realm of commercial music production.


    — Christopher Fisher, professor of piano, Ohio University; author, Teaching Piano in Groups


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