"Most how-to-play books in a particular style provide only licks or arrangements from which a student must extrapolate in order to figure out how the patterns fit into an actual performance. This isn't necessarily bad; you can assimilate a lot of spice into your playing this way. But it does nothing to actually teach you how to play.
Mark Harrison's 498-page book is different. He breaks down the licks and patterns that make up the various pop styles into their component elements. He explains these elements in light of their harmonic and rhythmic functions.
He provides a simple and enjoyable method for learning these basics in all keys. Then he shows you how the basic elements combine to create the various styles. In the process of following his method, your hands can develop a
tactile sense of the appropriate thing to do at the appropriate time, and your ears can begin to recognize what's appropriate in order to guide your hands.
It makes a lot of sense, and it seems like something that would come from having taught for years. No surprise: Harrison has done just that, and continues to do so, from his own music school in Los Angeles.
His writing is warm, humorous, and clear. Practice exercises build gradually and in a very logical sequence. All of the exercises and musical examples are available as MIDI files or on audio cassettes, for an additional fee. These
materials are well-prepared, and should be valuable for the notationally-challenged.
The styles covered are ballad, pop, rock, R&B, funk, new age, country, and gospel. Each style is thoroughly treated, but only to a level of detail that's musical. When you consider the amount of harmony and music theory that
is included as an integral part of the approach, it's almost a course on composing in pop styles.
This is the most accessible and valuable keyboard method available for those interested in popular styles. Beginners will not be scared off by it. Weekend warriors who never quite got all 12 keys or all those chord
extensions under their belts will benefit handsomely from it. Going through the method is just plain fun. And at the end, almost anybody who puts a little effort into it should play better!"
ERNIE RIDEOUT
(KEYBOARD MAGAZINE)
May 1996.
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