John Novello hails from Niagara Falls, New York, and later relocated to Las Vegas, establishing himself as a formidable force in the West Coast music scene. His early influences are rooted in the jazz and rock fusion movements of the 1970s. He cites legends such as Chick Corea, Jan Hammer, and Joe Zawinul as primary inspirations.
However, Novello did not merely mimic these idols; he synthesized their styles into a unique voice characterized by "heavy organ" playing. Unlike traditional jazz organists who rely heavily on drawbar manipulation and the Leslie speaker for texture, Novello incorporates the aggressive attack and phrasing of a rock guitarist. This approach makes his playing distinctively rhythmic and percussive, allowing him to compete sonically with electric guitars and basses in high-energy fusion environments. the contemporary keyboardist john novello pdf
This section is a marvel of compression. Novello explains intervals, scales (Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Blues, Bebop, and Symmetrical), and chord construction without the academic jargon that plagues other texts. John Novello hails from Niagara Falls, New York,
Most piano books teach genres in isolation (a chapter on Blues, a chapter on Jazz). Novello’s genius lies in showing how these genres connect. He creates a continuum starting from Stride Piano, moving through Swing, Bebop, R&B, Funk, and finally into Pop/Rock. Most self-taught keyboardists hit a wall due to
While Novello is a fantastic player, the writing style can be a bit clinical and academic at times. It reads more like a college textbook than a casual guide.
Most self-taught keyboardists hit a wall due to poor ergonomics. Novello dedicates significant space to posture, hand position, and arm weight. He deviates from pure classical finger independence (Hanon) by introducing "Contemporary Fingerings" designed for blues riffs, organ slides, and synthesizer licks.
This is where the book transcends method and becomes an encyclopedia.
