Bill’s book will guide you through the most important element of music: rhythm. This book will give you the tools you need to learn how to read and write rhythms, how to improvise rhythms and play in different styles. The information given in this book applies to musicians of any skill level and answers fundamental questions such as:
* Is it true that some people have rhythm and some don’t? * What is time, beats, bars, downbeats, backbeats, rhythmic feel? * What is the importance of a metronome? * How does one learn to keep time? * What are the common time signatures? * How fast should you be able to play or read music? * What are the three main rhythmic feels and how do they relate to styles? * What is the difference between grooving and comping? * How do you play in or with a rhythm section? * How can I learn to improvise in any rhythm? * What are Polyrhythms? * Why are odd meters?
Author and 35-year music teacher Bill Keis stated, “Certainly, there are many books on the subject of music. I would not have written this book if I didn’t think I had something to say, something to offer that was different from anyone else and that would be useful and beneficial to people in their quest for musical expression and enjoyment. The main purpose of this book is to help the student with the study of music. I have presented this material in a simple, straightforward and concise manner. This book contains material I’ve discovered to be essential.”
One reader stated, “This little book puts together the concepts behind understanding rhythms that we usually just find by trial and error. After years of improvising on the piano I finally understand now how to add accuracy and variability to my fake book interpretations. What a great deal!”
“What a great book. It has the basics to the very advanced. It is easy to understand. This is a book that is much needed out there. This book has something for everyone!”
Bill Keis is a pianist, keyboardist, composer, producer, musical director, and teacher. He has performed and/or recorded with; Stanley Clarke, Chaka Khan, The Pointer Sisters, Mark Isham, Ronnie Spector, Michael Duff, Lilly Hayden, Billy Sheehan, MC Lyte, Alexander Markov, Chick Corea, Steve Oliver, Edgar Winter, David Campbell, Tony Newton, Donny Most, Judy Norton, Izzy Chait and many others.
One of Bill’s compositions was used in the 2015 blockbuster movie, “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. Bill Keis has co-produced innumerable recordings for upcoming artists in a wide variety of styles and several of Bill’s compositions were used on the TV show “General Hospital.”
Bill was educated in music starting at age 5 by numerous private teachers, public school music instructors and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
