billkeis.com

Many of my students who have an earlier edition asked me why I would want to write a new edition. They claimed that the edition they have has “everything” they need to know about music. They would often refer to my book as “The Bible”, so I put that on the front cover. When I told them what I was fixing and adding, one for one they said, “I want the new edition.”

First of all, there is no CD with audio examples, as mentioned in the 2^nd edition. That was a carryover from the 1^st edition. Shortly after the 2^nd edition was released, the demonstration CD was replaced with a series of YouTube videos.

After using the 2^nd edition to teach for quite a while, several typos were found, as well as words that should be added to the Glossary. Additionally, I wanted to expand some sections, add more examples, reformat some pages, clarify certain concepts, include some updates, etc.

The 2^nd edition, released in 2017 has 515 pages, approx. 80,280 words. The 3^rd edition, released July 2024 has 537 pages, approx. 99,176 words.

This is a crowning achievement 🙂

click here Demo CD from Complete Guide To Learning Music

I’m playing the west coast tour of Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame Legend, Ronnie Spector this summer.  Check my calendar for details.  I’ve worked with her before and it is an honor to play in her band.

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/bill-keis-music-sheet-music/3009062?ac=1

I can’t wait to go to the NAMM show this year (not new news…I’m always excited about going). It’s like being a kid in a candy store.

I like to preview new keyboard releases before going to the show.  I just checked out the new Korg Prologue.  Very impressive.

[By the way, a review I read said it has an OTA.  Having no clue what that is, I looked it up.  OTA is an abbreviation for Operational Transconductance Amplifier.  Wikipedia has an article about that.]

While watching numerous YouTube videos of the new Korg, it occurred to me that music technology continues to advance, but it seems the level of musicianship has not.

What is the goal of the modern musician?  To play an instrument well or to use software in a computer to play loops, make beats, etc.?  I’ve talked to many young musicians who do that.  To me this is sad, because there is great joy in actually playing an instrument.

I’m not saying everyone should strive to be as good as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock or Keith Emerson.  However, they are good examples of musicians who used keyboards to make amazing music.  They didn’t just have the “computer” generate music for them.

There’s nothing wrong with the new technology.  I use it daily.  But my advise is: don’t forget to learn to play too!

LOS ANGELES, CA: Music teacher, keyboardist and performer Bill Keis (http://billkeismusiclessons.com) has released a book entitled “The Fundamentals of Music.”

This book is presented in a simple, straightforward and concise manner along with practice routines that will result in real ability to read music, play songs, improvise and compose. The book answers such questions as:

* What is the difference between major and minor?
* What are the rules for naming notes in a scale?
* What are the three parts of music?
* What is the difference between a scale and a key?
* What is the secret of great improvisation and can it be learned?
* What are the two skills required to read music?
* What is a clef?
* What is a time signature?
* How important is rhythm?
* Is it true that some people have it and some don’t?
* How can one learn different styles of music quickly?

Author Bill Keis stated “If you want to ‘make music,’ there are definite things that need to be learned. There are many books on the subject of music. What makes this book different? It works. The data in this book applies to any musician at any level of expertise regardless of what instrument or style of music he or she plays. This is invaluable as a reference book for private lessons or as a textbook for classroom study.”

Mark Isham, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated Performer and Composer (Once Upon a Time, Crash, A River Runs Through It, Bobby, Rules of Engagement, and many more), stated “I enthusiastically endorse this book! It is a wonderful way to enter and explore the adventure that is music, each step expertly presented to ensure a pleasurable and productive experience for any reader!"

The book “The Fundamentals of Music” can be purchased from Amazon online for $9.99 here: https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Music-Complete-Guide-learning/dp/1542371902/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1485904021&sr=8-5&keywords=bill+keis
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 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.

His main site is http://billkeis.com, and his site for music lessons is http://billkeismusiclessons.com. He can be reached at 818-246-6858.

I know many people don’t like year-end letters but I couldn’t resist.

2016 was a wild year for many reasons.  I am very happy to be working in the music biz.  This is what I love to do and I’m looking forward to 2017.

Last year I had fun playing gigs with 11 different bands/artists.

I enjoyed working in my studio as a player, engineer, producer with 9 different clients.  Additionally, I wrote numerous songs, TV/Film cues, arrangements, charts and transcriptions.

A CD I worked on was released in 2016 – Chico 45th Anniversary ~ CHICO [latin, variety] (Bill Keis, mastering engineer, keyboards).  I’m looking forward to three more CDs being released in 2017.

As a teacher, my niche is teaching adults.  I cover many things including accompaniment skills, composing and how to play in a band.

Super cool news:  a student wrote and recorded a song for his wife for their anniversary, several students played casuals and sat in at nightclubs, one student (who was failing) got an “A” in her College music class.  In 2016 I reached a milestone…all 10 of my music books are now available on Amazon Kindle!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2017.  Let’s get together and make some noise!

Bill

(818) 246-6858

http://www.BillKeis.com/
http://www.BillKeisMusicLessons.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smile/id1011270368

A jazz solo piano performance that features both originals and familiar standards. This CD was inspired by his wife, a breast cancer survivor. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Yesterday I recorded piano tracks for a vocalist to sing the Alicia Keyes arrangement of “Good Morning Heartache”.  In the past I’d get a call and go to a studio, meet the vocalist, etc.

Nowadays, I get a call and record the track in my home studio then dropbox it to the studio that the vocalist is going to record in.  So, I never get to meet the vocalist or the engineer.  Pros: no drive time, save $ on gas. Cons: no face-to-face interaction.

Not sure which I like better.  What do you think?

Musical Director Hat

After years of being the keyboardist/musical director for many different artists, I’ve developed a job description.  Below is a brief summary.

Overall my job is to help create a professional, viable product both for live performances and recorded music that will be well thought of and be a high standard, as close to other successful performers as possible, within a reasonable budget.  Also, to help make things run smoothly so we all can make music and have fun!

My duties are: 

• help choose songs and/or co-write new ones
• write arrangements/charts
• rehearse with the artist
• write the set list
• choose personnel in band who are great musicians and nice guys
• hire & fire musicians
• give gig details to the musicians
• rehearse the band
• determine appropriate band pay and inform the artist
• play the gigs and direct the band during the gigs
• find soundman & roadies as needed
• deal with the technical details of sound equipment
• create stage plot and input list, give to sound crew in advance
• create a band of happy musicians by granting them beingness to do their thing, so they won’t have any unexpressed resentment
• police the lines within the band to keep the band morale high
• handle communication between the artist and the band
• give & receive info with the artist management re: schedules, band bios, etc
• in general flow power to the artist
• produce the recordings
• do any correction cycles with the band and/or the artist to correct outnesses in the live performances and recordings