About Jerry Kovarsky

Jerry Kovarsky is a music industry veteran who has worked as a product/brand manager, marketing director, product developer and demonstrator for numerous keyboard manufacturers over a 30-plus year career. An accomplished keyboardist/synthesist, Jerry has been a passionate advocate for making music with keyboards and likes to live at the intersection of technology and art. Author of the popular book “Keyboard For Dummies,” he graduated with a BA in Jazz Studies from William Paterson College (after time also spent at the University of Miami), when his musical aspirations were sidetracked by an opportunity to demonstrate early portable keyboards. These days, he’s returned to his musical roots, performing, recording and teaching on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Music and The Brain

Here’s why music is good for both your health and your emotional well-being.

Keyboard How-to

Exploring Latin Rhythms

Add authentic accompaniment for bossa nova, samba, salsa and more.

Synth Terminology 101

Ready to learn how to use a synthesizer? These are the top terms you’ll need to know.

Four Tips For Getting Your Child Started On Piano

Here’s how to help your kids get involved in making music.

Keyboard How-to

10 Great Arpeggios for Left and Right Hand

Add these colorful and unique runs to your playing vocabulary.

Keyboard How-to

How to Use Keyboard Pedals

Learn how to incorporate pedals into your performance.

Keyboard How-to

The Basics of Stride Piano

How to adapt this classic style to your keyboard playing.

History of the Synthesizer, Part 2

Technological advances from the 1980s onwards shape today’s synths.

Keyboard How-to

Five Tips For Playing Rock and Roll Piano

Learn how to play in the style of this classic genre.

Acoustic Pianos

A Brief Guide to Piano Tonewoods

Learn about the woods that are used to make pianos.

History of the Synthesizer, Part 1

Tracing the evolution of audio synthesis through the decades.

Keyboard How-to

Layering Digital Keyboard Sounds

Exploring the best sound combinations.

Acoustic Pianos, Piano History

The History of Yamaha CF Grand Pianos

More than a century of innovation leads to the pinnacle of success.

Keyboard How-to

How to Play Electric Piano, Clavinet and Organ Sounds

Here are the best ways to adapt your playing style to these three types of sounds.

Keyboard How-to

How to Create Flowing Keyboard Accompaniments

Learn how to create arpeggiated backings.

Keyboard How-to

Navigating a Score

Learn to follow the road map of a written piece of music.

Keyboard How-to

How Sheet Music Can Improve Your Playing Skills

It’s more than just a way to play your favorite songs.

Keyboard How-to

Learning to Solo

How do you go about making up a piano or keyboard solo to play over a chord or a song section?

Keyboard How-to

Adding Keyboard Fills

How to go beyond just playing the melody.

Keyboard How-to

What to Do When There’s No Bass Player, Part 2

Add more movement to your left-hand bass playing with walking bass lines.

Keyboard How-to

What to Do When There’s No Bass Player, Part 1

How to cover keys and bass at the same time.

Keyboard How-to

Playing Well With Others

Performing with a singer or as part of a band requires a very different approach.

Keyboard How-to

How to Transpose

Especially when working with singers, you’ll need this important skill.

Keyboard How-to

Top 10 Piano and Digital Keyboard Practice Tips

Practicing is not performing — approach it with purpose for the best results.

Keyboard How-to

Reharmonizing Songs, Part 3

A deep dive into finding alternate chords for your songs.

Keyboard How-to

Reharmonizing Songs, Part 2

Advanced concepts for changing chords.

Artists, Keyboard Artists

Music Direction in the Digital Age

Jason Halbert of the Kelly Clarkson Show Band takes a fresh approach.

Keyboard How-to

Reharmonizing Songs, Part 1

Adding alternate harmony to a song is a great way to make it your own.

Keyboard How-to

Playing By Ear, Part 2

How to learn songs by listening to them.

Keyboard How-to

Playing By Ear, Part 1

How to learn songs by listening to them.

Keyboard How-to

Jazz Chord Voicings, Part 3

Using color tones to create inner voice movement.

Michael Tilson Thomas: Celebrating an American Icon

An illustrious career, an unparalleled musical legacy.

Keyboard How-to

Jazz Chord Voicings, Part 2

Diving deeper into jazz voicings.

Under the Lid: The Custom Pianos of J. Elliott and Co.

This husband and wife team perform piano alchemy.

Keyboard How-to

Jazz Chord Voicings, Part 1

Exploring sophisticated harmonies and voicings.

Keyboard How-to

Pop/Rock Chord Voicings, Part 3

Octave-based melodies, arpeggiations and rolling notes.

Discovering Digital FM: John Chowning Remembers

How a simple “ear discovery” came to forever influence the world of synthesis.

Keyboard How-to

Pop/Rock Chord Voicings, Part 2

Add color to your pop/rock chords.

Keyboard How-to

Pop/Rock Chord Voicings, Part 1

How to construct and play chords in pop and rock styles.

Keyboard How-to

Functional Harmony, Part 2

A deep dive into Dominant seventh chords.

Keyboard How-to

Functional Harmony, Part 1

Using tension and release to enhance chord progressions.

Apps to Help You Learn to Play Keyboard At Home

Your smart device can serve as both your teacher and musical partner.

Keyboard How-to

The Basics Of Chordal Harmony

Understanding chords and harmonic function.

Keyboard How-to

Creative Ways to Practice with a Metronome

Think a click is boring? Think again.

Step Up to a Better Keyboard, Part 2: Advanced Features

“Good enough” isn’t always good enough.

Step Up to a Better Keyboard, Part 1: Feel and Sound

“Good enough” isn’t always good enough.

Keyboard How-to, Piano How-to

Effective Time Management for Keyboard Practice

Here’s how to get the most out of your practice routine.

Keyboard How-to

How to Improve Your Piano and Digital Keyboard Technique, Part 2

Work on those things that you’ll actually incorporate into your playing.

Keyboard How-to

How to Improve Your Piano and Digital Keyboard Technique, Part 1

Work on those things that you will actually incorporate into your playing.

Keyboard How-to

Piano and Digital Keyboard Warm Up

Preparing your body, mind and fingers before practicing and playing.

Back To School!

Choosing the best keyboard for your kids.

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