This book which dates currently of 1988 does not lose its interest in view of its date of publication since it approaches theoretical notions on music, music theory and arrangement. The whole being only not much described under a technological side (sequencers, midi). In spite of the title which seems to intend the book for keyboard players, its range is more general. He contacts in fact in a broader way all those who compromise, who dispose a piece... It is true that he gives some advice specific for keyboard players but it is not about the bottom of subject.

Book is centered around 5 big main themes allowing to construct a piece: form, melody, rhythm, harmony and instruments. I particularly appreciated the step of the author. Indeed, he classifies, orders, sorts his ideas out to offer us a methodology, a reminder. He is not aimed at writing such a novel on subject but rather at giving to the reader a way to consider to arrest the composition of a piece. He uses again and again questions, diagrammes, listing... To note that a CD accompanies book. His utility is not essential but can allow to initiate some beginners from examples.

The first approached theme is that of the structure of a piece: how to construct an introduction, a development, a conclusion... He offers for example to compose introduction when the piece is ended since this one must follow and announce the piece naturally in melody, harmony term... It is more about the structure of a piece style "variety, pop-rock". Some ideas can be very of even used in other musical forms (orchestral).

The second chapter, very interesting, concerns the building of a melody. How to develop a theme? How to repeat it? How to prettify the melody with contrechants, changes under 18 in tonality... He offers the whole group of tools in the service of the compositor to develop a melody, he points out different approaches allowing to supplement, to repeat a theme.

The section on rhythm is less dense and less full. It draws a parallel with tools allowing to construct rhythmic motives on computer. Group is less pertinent since it is mainly focused on the drum kit.

Harmony is the heart of any piece, no wonder this chapter is rather consequent. It is possible to divide him into 2 themes: the one on theory around harmony (harmonic, intervals, movements) and other one on chords and their use. He introduces how to give rhythm to harmony with blackouts, to create tensions, to make live together melody and harmony. The author itemises how to write in several voices, how to harmonise a melody...

The following chapters concern in in turn strings, copperwares, wood, voice and "modern" instruments. He begins generally with a part on instrumentation (register, colour) then deal of practical advice to use the instrument within a piece (melody, harmony). The last chapter on the recent instruments am very interesting since he offers uses of modern instruments such as guitar, bass, keyboard...

In balance sheet, this book brings very pertinent information on the writing and the composition of a piece. It is not about a theoretical book on subject as it exists a lot. He is just on horseback between theory and technology on computer. Different methods, suggestions of the author allow us to think and to enrich our way of compromising. Group is rather condensed what makes a book which it is possible to keep under the hand as reminder. It is not however edited any more at present. Alone the market of occasion will allow to obtain it.