This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
A #1 Bestselling Amazon author, Dr. Gregg Akkerman is a performer/educator born in the southern California desert. He worked many years as a pianist/vocalist throughout the Southwest before earning a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University and a Doctorate of Arts in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado. He is the author of several books, including "The Keyboardist's Career Guide," and he was the founding editor of "The Listener’s Companion" series from Rowman and Littlefield. After teaching for a decade as an Associate Professor of Music, Akkerman returned to California to further his career as a writer and piano bar entertainer specializing in classic rock.
Reviewed by Donna Gielow McFarland for Readers' Favorite
The Keyboardist's Career Guide: A 10-Step Plan to Your Dream Job in the Music Business by Gregg Akkerman is a blueprint for how to actually make a living as a keyboardist/pianist. During his lengthy career, Akkerman has done it all and in this book he shares what he’s learned. The Keyboardist's Career Guide contains detailed lists of jobs within multiple categories including band gigs, solo gigs, teaching, accompanying, home studio production, arranging and more. He explains how to get hired for these jobs, the equipment needed (and how to find it) and the musical preparation required. Finally, he details what a keyboardist can expect to be paid and how diversifying can result in a substantial yearly income.
The Keyboardist's Career Guide is a book that many keyboardists would wish they had read when they were just getting started. It is not at all what is taught in school. Gregg Akkerman explains three levels of skill and what opportunities are available to keyboardists at each level. These levels are different from what is traditionally taught because they reflect the skills actually needed if one intends to earn money. Aspiring keyboardists will want to know what it is they really need to know so they can learn the right stuff. One student could have a college degree in piano performance and be a beginner by Akkerman’s standards, while another could be an entirely self-taught high school student and be considered intermediate or even advanced. Akkerman provides a plan for how a “beginner” can get to the advanced level and it takes years and resources, but if someone is motivated enough it can certainly be done. I give this book a high recommendation, but I give it the highest recommendation for high school and college students who dream of becoming professional musicians. It is possible. Gregg Akkerman shows how to get there in The Keyboardist's Career Guide: A 10-Step Plan to Your Dream Job in the Music Business.
