Improvisation Piano Exercises from Chick Corea

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“I’m just trying to share my own way I look at music, with others.
“Musicians, non-musicians, whoever is interested. And try to show a few basic things that I think are kind of true for everybody.
“One of which is that an individual’s taste and his own judgment, what he likes, and what he doesn’t like, is his own God-given right, you could say.
“Everyone has the right to like what they like, not like what they don’t like, listen to the kind of music they want to, not listen to the kind of music they don’t like. Say what you like, say what you don’t like.
“There’s a kind of a code about that. A human right, a spiritual right.
“And I want to encourage that in people. I want people, and musicians, to realize their own judgment and have them think for themselves about how they see art, especially. And trying to portray that and say that in various ways.
“Share things I do, or just my opinion.
“So improvisation is a big interest, with a lot of musicians. So I have my own ideas about what it is, and I know there are an infinite number of other ideas, so I’m just throwing my own idea into the pot here. About ‘What is improvisation?’
“We did 5 shorts on that, so have a look.” - Chick
TRANSCRIPT:
Chick Corea: So this is the beginning. First one. Here we go. So we’re going to cover improvisation and Bill’s going to - we’re going to talk a little bit. We want to define it first.
Bill Rooney: Start at the beginning.
CC: I though that was a good idea, because when people ask me - musicians ask me, they say, “Well, how about improvising? How do you improvise? What’s it all about? What do you do? What do you think about?” All these various questions. I think to myself, well you know, I’ve never seen a satisfactory definition of improvisation. So, I want to try to give you what my - what I think of when I think of improvisation, which is something natural. Something natural you do.
Improvising is living. Like, what I’m doing now is improvising. I have a thought in my head and I’m trying to get it out using the cumbersome medium of the english language. It’s really difficult. I mean I could go like this - [ plays a phrase ]. See that?
I don’t have to then try to say in words what that was because that was improvisation. But to try and define it in words, it’s the natural thing you do that you already decided that you’re going to do something and you’re going to make a movement. So with improvisation, the decision that - there are decisions that have to be made. What kind of freedoms and what kind of rules.
There’s freedoms, then there’s rules that you make. And that’s how you come about deciding how much improvisation there’s going to be. Like, you determine a pattern. Let’s use the term “pattern.” So let’s take, for an example, a pattern. I thought it would be good to start demonstrating right away, rather than trying to put a verbal definition.
So, you take a pattern, how much freedom or how much rules and decisions you want in it. Let’s take an example. I thought we’d use “Armando’s Rhumba.” Some people know “Armando’s Rhumba”.
This tune here - [ plays “Armando’s Rhumba”]
Okay here’s the first phrase of “Armando’s Rhumba.” It’s written right here. If you can read music it’s starting right at “A.”
So, thats the first phrase. If I’m going to play it exactly I’m going to play that exactly. [ Plays “Armando’s Rhumba” ]
Not much improvisation cause I already decided. So let me play the same phrase and keep everything pretty much the same but let me change the melody a little bit. I could do something like - [ plays “Armando’s Rhumba” ]
That was a lot of change, I mean comparatively. Or I could do - [ plays “Armando’s Rhumba”]
Or I could do even closer. I could change the tempo. [ Plays “Armando’s Rhumba” ]
It’s endless. So with that kind of thing you have the pattern and you decide how closely you want to stick to the pattern and the improvisation part comes as what freedom you give.
For instance, what if I say to myself, I decide - it’s all decisions. What if I decide I’m going to play something before I start the melody? I’m going to improvise something and then play the melody. So I’m going to go add it, it’s free, I can play what I want. [ Plays tune and “Armando’s Rhumba” ]
There you go. Like, play something even stranger: [ Plays tune and “Armando’s Rhumba” ]
See there. There would be an infinite number of ways to take a theme. So thats one basic way to describe improvisation. It’s what you decide will be there as a pattern and what you decide you’ll be free about interpretive. Improvisation.

[@omarjoelzaki]

R.I.P. Chick Corea! You were incredible!

[@JawJX]

Are*

[@tuhmater2985]

@@JawJX mate he’s dead

[@mahmudmarsudi4430]

When did he dies?

[@9yukuhito]

@tuhmater wot u say? Chick is rt here

[@andreasvakirtzis1093]

Rest in peace, Chick! Thank you for your great music and for all the inspirational moments that you shared with us all these years of your amazing career! We'll miss you, my dear giant of jazz music!

[@jonasparnarauskas2882]

🙏🙏🙏

[@spliffern2662]

@@carlosparker4358 that's how i was when i first started listening

[@deanronson6331]

@@carlosparker4358 That's like saying, "I'll just eat steak and potatoes from now on." As genius as Chick was, there have been countless jazzers just as worth listening to as him. I hope you're able to discover most of them.

[@malinwow]

By far the best jazz pianist I’ve ever heard. So good brought tears to my eyes.

[@myhomestudio1326]

You're obviously a scientologist!

[@jangtheconqueror]

I laughed so hard at his dissonant happy birthday because it's so true.

[@wolfpsx6210]

Maybe average people actually like atonal music but they just don't know it.

[@williamgabriel2286]

I _knew_ there was a reason I like Ornette !

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

Abraham Im holy shit i understand where you're coming from! 😁😂😀

[@melodiusthud4536]

I think I'd like that played at the rest of my birthdays. :)

[@Whrichd]

OMG lol I read your comment first and I thought he played some sophisticated arrangement

[@BrucknerMotet]

I've been practicing Armando's Rhumba for a few months now prepping for a jazz concert (tenor sax). Love it!. Great job Chick ,and don't let Liberace hog the bar piano in heaven.

[@D1ndo]

As always, I just can't fathom, how incredibly unrestrained Chick is in terms of technique, rhythm and harmonic vocabulary. He just can play absolutely anything he thinks of, immediately without preparation or mistakes. You can't go much further than this. And every note has a purpose, every tempo or dynamic nuance has a meaning, nothing is left to chance.

[@LunicussOfficial]

yeah? YOU haven't heard anything. my instructor in the 80s improvised star spangled banner with a 6 part counterpoint in the right hand and a 256th note slightly chromatic arpeggio in the left hand all whilst playing the harmonica with his nostrils. Legend

[@ChristopherADrew]

Noone has heard anything. Ever. My instructor (in the early aughts) once flatulated the entire theme to Jurassic Park.

[@perfectbiscuit3210]

That's known as "Your-ass-ic Park"

[@matthewwelch6855]

This whole thread is what the internet needs

[@tedparkinson6892]

Yes, he has total control. Except everything winds up sounding like Chick Corea. I mean that in both positive and negative ways. :-)

[@jeremywilkinson353]

Chick was a massive part of my life a brilliant musician and loved that he was there online during the pandemic. I lived for those sessions. So missed. Love you always.

[@HeyImPeterRS]

this man makes music so effortlessly, mindblowing

[@isaaccline2505]

"They also sing it like this" I lost it there.

[@johninis]

The guy is the best. His solo albums are unbelievable. Especially "The Leprechaun" which is the best album I own. And he works with the most talented musicians.

[@DanielBarberMusic]

Leprechaun was my 1st album of his and I completely wore it out my freshman year in college. Un-frikkin-believable, that music! Absolutely enchanting, fascinating, complex, exquisitely gorgeous, just stunning. Cool to find another Leprechaun fan here. :-)

[@michaeltekulsky5665]

This man is so sincere and generous with his talent

[@prayinthemedge]

how to improv: step 1 - get piano. step 2 - be chick corea. done. jokes aside, musical genius like this never fails to be jawdropping.

[@neuralbliss]

"Improvisation is the art of forgetting" -Keith Jarrett

[@johnshenale6079]

Sadly CC as a mature musician follows what Vincent Persichetti's version of composing aka improve . do what you want . Keith Jarrett is a channel of his memory .. a whole different path and i think CC knew this when he record for ECM , Piano Improvisations Vol. 1 and 2 , he lost it after that . IMO

[@jevjworship]

Maybe the way of Keith Jarrett is diferent to Chick Corea, he find melodies in trance or Ecstasy

[@pianojunseo]

As the one who doing Jazz, deeply agree with this quote haha Thanks to remind me of the beauty of human's nature: Forgetting

[@lalanini4486]

Keith is so much better than chick corea.. And than all of this world.. Keith is amazaing

[@marco6284]

@@lalanini4486 No Chick is better than him.....(my opinion)

[@brianmcguire5175]

Improvisation for me, and as a drummer, has always been when I reached a state of mind when playing that felt natural and uncoerced. Uncoerced by the dictations of traditions of a certain style, and uncoerced by the expectations from the other participating musicians whom on occasion treat drummers as glorified time keepers and treat piano players as glorified chord factories. Improvisation for me has always been when the musician makes and commits to choices while the performance is happening. A present and in the moment zen that facilitates both reactive responses and creative invention at the same time. If I play a four to the floor beat to a track that was written with that beat in mind I am not improvising but rather performing. However, I can play that exact beat at a jam session but now it is improvised because it was a creative choice I made in that moment and not a dictation from another. Love to yall, rip Corea. A legend

[@roba1899]

His improv is, like, always musical and interesting .. what a genius

[@oliviaedralin1436]

It’s amazing to pick a legendary artist ‘s brain such as Chick❤

[@nancychace8619]

Such a remarkable musician. Will always miss his timeless music. RIP.

[@kurtralske4026]

Chick was one of the most beautiful musicians in jazz...such grace and beauty in his playing

[@jonathanchristopher1099]

One of the most difficult things to do is to teach someone what comes naturally (with one's talent or giftedness). The lessons can only go so far before the individual does not have the words to convey the freedoms and rules they are using. It doesn't mean it can't be learned, it is just incredibly difficult to teach. Kudos to Corea for doing his best to reveal what goes on inside his brain.

[@Pachecure]

True that. There are so many angles to the art of improvisation, but he does do a good job of revealing some of them.

[@lucderan]

@ Chick Corea. Thank You for your art! You are my Master, sir! I grow up in '90s with your Electric City's scores, playing piano and synths. You are literary the KEY of my youth behind keyboards! The way you play piano completely change my approach to the music! You are my myth. I started to play Jazz piano listening to your music and I strived to learn how to play "that stuff"! I was a 16yo classic piano student. You brought sparkles in my music as much as Mozart! Every time I put my fingers on a synth or a piano, is on the Bb and I end up playing some note of your Elektric City solo! I still have an SY77 (you should know the big sister!) with some sound I created with your name! "Chick- something" has always been a prefix for a cool sound on my synths! I've learned a lot! Thank you very much for your PERFECT scores that still flow inside my music, my solos. I know I'm using some movement that comes from that studies! With the Hannon (the crazy tecnique to play it all as exercise... every day!) and one of your scores book I switched from a student to a decent musician. Now my life's changed. But I owe a lot to your music. Thank you very much. I'm not only your fan. My music has been influenced by you!

[@axolotl84]

rest in peace chick, thank you for the music and the inspiration

[@mistergrooveman1018]

What a simplicity , so humble ... He Just left but he will be always inside each of us ... This idée to share was his last gift... Thank you MASTER...

[@nelsensalling8676]

Back in the 90s I used to work for Chick out in LA. I was his "Estates Manager". I took care of his house and grounds. He was an amazing and sweet guy. Great sense of humor. Part of working for him back then was that I had a "Back Stage Pass" for any show he did. I saw some amazing shows! I saw one of the Bobby McFerrin shows when they first got started. And a some Acoustic band shows too. I cherish those memories.

[@noahmay7708]

That's crazy! Did you often work with celebrities or was this a surprise venture?

[@nelsensalling8676]

@@noahmay7708 He was the only celeb I worked for. Sweet memories of great times.

[@Pachecure]

That is frigging amazing. In 1968 or 69, I went to hear Chick Corea play with Herbie Hancock at San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium on California Street. It's a great modern acoustic auditorium with a balcony. They were both brilliant that night. By any chance, do you happen to know where I could find or look-up the exact date of that show? I realize it's a lot to ask, but they couldn't have appeared there more than once between those two years ('68-'69). I am sure about seeing them in that particular time frame.

[@JakubLebioda]

Chick is out of this world harmony. His music is so far away from others, its absolutely amazing and unique.

[@TheBoondoggler]

The man is a universal treasure, one of the greatest artistic minds in history.

[@doom7872]

Piano lessons from a living legend, oh my word. Time to binge watch all of this content.

[@dominiquesweeney767]

so present. This is the best example of improvisation across all art forms that I have ever heard. There were less than 100 people in the audience in Brisbane when I saw him play in 1978. I hitched from Maroochydore and hitched back after the show to start work as a builders labourer at 6.30am. Got back at 4am. He called the scattered audience in to all sit down the front of Festival Hall near him and he played for us for two hours just like he does in this video. He makes you feel like you are there right beside him on the piano stool. What a great performer, musician and teacher.

[@jonsprivatelife]

The Happy birthday part levelled me: "people actually sing it like this" haha

[@stefanfeist9893]

Chick is the best. I'm a drummer, but I'd say he is my number one inspiration. So much going on in his music, rhythmically alone!

[@spiderman504]

Stefan Feist hey did you know Chick started out as a drummer! But when I met guitarist Al Dimeola he told me Chick was a terrible drummer. Lol! Go figure....btw Al D played drums too. That's why he is so fast playing the guitar!

[@garydonnelly100]

Same here. The way Chick can slap time and rhythm around like a...well I'll reserve that remark but I hope you get my drift. Any instrumentalist who can turn cats like Weckl, Novak, Gilmore, Haynes, White, Gadd loose and never ever lose time or make those drummers lose time is a musical god. Herbie is the same. BTW, you can hear Chick play drums on the extended version of the Three Quartets album...I can't remember if Gadd played piano on those couple tunes but Chick does hold his own and swings nicely...regardless of what Dimeola says. He's just pissed because he got fired :-)

[@DanielBarberMusic]

I met Gadd backstage once and chatted for a couple of minutes. I'd heard him on a couple of albums with Chick and he told me that Chick taught him a lot about playing drums. (I didn't think he meant technically, but something along the lines of how to orchestrate with the drums and tie the other instruments in the band together with the kit)

[@Playpianokey]

Finding what style best suites your personal expression is the first step. Our background and quality of our soul cannot be duplicated or copied. Technic and theory have to be understood and practiced for years and intently applied to get real results. Learning from the legends can help you discover principles and applications that can be tools to help you discover yourself. Thank you Chick for sharing yours with us.

[@terrencecoccoli524]

Musical geniuses are truly special. They give us so much.

[@ernestorodriguez9735]

true master one lesson from him could change any pianist expectations

[@norbertsarkozy]

Chick Corea is embodiment of music!!! I love His music creation and improvisation I can't imagine my life without his music.Chick Corea is a giant of music!

[@carlosmenesesjazz]

Missing Chick Corea so much! Much love for his music!

[@oliviaedralin1436]

I saw a clip of him and Keith Jarrett playing Mozart in a concerto,,, amazing to watch how incredible they play together !

[@fjeinca]

Mr Corea you're an American treasure! God bless and remain strong. I cannot get enough of your music and know I'm not alone in that. Thanks for these video insights/master classes; they're great, I plan to watch 'em all (and I'm a drummer).

[@shamielsoeker9374]

Amazing, especially taking something we all familiar with and improvisation on it, Master Pianist (RIP Chick Corea) ♥️♥️

[@totalmassretain6199]

I was introduced to Chick with “Where Have I Known You Before.” Phenomenal musician

[@roba1899]

I play guitar and to see him improvise is a maddening genius that few possess ..

[@stradaveriusfiddle]

Every instructor who goes about explaining music theory, and improvising does it, of course, in their own words. Chick, thankfully, chose to start with talking about describing the 'patterns', and how we decide to allow the degree of variations to make. Good way to describe the initial process! Thanks Chick!

[@yelassinacoulibaly]

The music of Faso is an inexhaustible source of sweetness. It allows us to plunge deep inside ourselves and at the same time resonate with our fellow man, Yé Lassina Coulibaly❤❤❤

[@jordanrioscreations]

Really awesome that he used a lot time teaching and making these videos before he departed this world.

[@xanblacq]

Chick is a dude! I highly recommend the masterclass series that he has on his website. Well worth the money!

[@WifeOfTheBeast]

I laughed so hard when he played the multi levels of sound deafness heard when singing "Happy Birthday". I love this guy.

[@patrickgleeson4364]

My goodness, I could listen to him non-stop forever.

[@luciamunozfernandez1506]

I just really liked this video so much, I feel good and happy, and grateful to him for giving us a part of himself!!

[@d3a1990]

Chick is a maverick. So great to see these videos. Thank you for your time, Chick!

[@jamescorneliustaylor6997]

Chick makes it look so easy! It's so great that a master of this calabre is communicating with us mortals and great to hear how he thinks when he plays.

[@travelinben1966]

Chick,Sharing your musical talent has made life so much more enjoyable.Thank you!

[@redblue2743]

That's the beautiful thing about jazz music. Freedom of playing, free in the song ,free in singing it, varying it when on piano or other instruments

[@timothyvaher2421]

The absolute greatest Modern Jazz/ Jazz rock fusion & World beat 🪘 Composer, Band Leader! He has returned to Forever ❤ See ya there Chick 🕊️

[@talileali]

A true master sharing! Much love for this craftsman! And a great deal of gratitude to the many musical gifts he has shared with this world!

[@chickcorea]

See Chick's full improvisation training: chickcoreamusicworkshops.com/blog/improv-piano-exercise/

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Genius alert!

[@juicheng9564]

Chick Corea qq

[@3peaceearth]

"Improvising is living"...freedom in the moment...peace through music...

[@sbdstudent]

The fact that Chick and others take students and try to teach them improvisation is awesome. I look at performing songs like they're a dog. If I have to follow all the rules they're like a junkyard bulldog that doesn't like change. If someone in the band says do whatever you want, the song is like a puppy waiting to be lead down an unknown path and excited about it. Usually it's somewhere in the middle like my 10-year old yellow labrador who doesn't mind paths but dinner better be around 6pm.

[@radeum1010]

500 miles high onto the Seventh Galaxy and beyond. Thankfully you have left us a lifetime of brilliance to return to forever.

[@martinhablaespagnol]

Great Nose, great person, amazing musician - Thankis a lot !!

[@fr-ep4fv]

One of the ABSOLUTE GREATEST DAYS OF MY LIFE when I met Chick and Gayle Moran after they played at a college auditorium with Don Elias! FOREVER burned in my mind and heart! Keith Jarrett Ahamad Jamal Chick Corea Herbie Hancock and Dave Grusin Billy Taylor Ramsey Lewis Manfredo Fest Thelonius Monk Oscar Peterson .. I cannot believe I have heard such great musicians. Thank you Chick, your life has been anything but easy, but you never allowed the times and changes burden you. Your music is a lesson in life all by itself.

[@cocogomez2278]

So cool! What college?

[@fr-ep4fv]

@@cocogomez2278 ILLinois State u redbirds

[@MotifMusicStudios]

Love the idea of picking a small piece of a tune and just expanding from there!

[@frankbarone4065]

What a great philosophy and ability Chick imparts to us all ! "Observing and faithfully conveying a hidden reality through an ordinary form", Mark Kramer, pianist

[@rajneeshmilarepa6090]

"Improvisation is the courage to keep moving." ~ Bobby McFerrin

[@littleshadow2707]

True!

[@blacksk4]

Indeed one of the best explanations on improvisation i heard. Thank you, Chick! Another useful advice : Go with your "mistakes", use them

[@MichaelBB]

Improvisation as the most natural act we could execute is so spot on! I use that idea all the time. Well done, CC. MBB

[@_Francis]

THANK YOU for sharing! It's a great gift and it takes tons of generosity. God bless you always

[@igorgabriel7089]

Chick Corea I am a great admirer of his work and of his themes ! we here in Brazil love your theme spain congratulations for sharing your knowledge with the world , hugs and success always

[@gregbieck9999]

Oh that touch, so clean and soulful!!!! amazing

[@trancosomarcus]

It seemes so easy came from him. Years and years of heavy study and natural talent too.

[@capartenlive3026]

Humble genius ! I meet the Guy in Los Angeles , the guy sas so Kind ans gentleman !! Thank you !

[@AS-zg7fw]

awwww that last bit after "... and then build it up...". I love that style

[@stevesewall]

This guy never made much sense to me but he sure does now. The look on his face at 6:12 as he play Happy Birthday and then as he improvises on it is wonderful.

[@DihelsonMendonca]

💥 The problem is that for Chick, improvisation was as easy as walking, but for most of us, creating REALLY GOOD improvisation is a struggle. Most can do some good few bars, but can't keep all the solo at an astonishing level like he did, because he was a genius. He only played exactly what he wanted and never run out of excellent ideas. But common people can't create the unthinkable... 🎉❤❤❤

[@MordecaiPaes]

As always perfect, thanks for more such tips.

[@boothamilton9850]

Chick - I first 'found' you back around 1970 - on Filles de Kilimanjaro (waaaaaaay before the interweb).. 'been a fan ever since. This is great to find. Thanks for sharing.

[@michelraimbault1931]

this man is so nice and gentle

[@ready4peace]

Armando you are a gift. Thank you.

[@titov7823]

Always amazed! Always blown away!

[@berziniberzini583]

Genio..Genio..y humilde...!! Un Angel tuve la suerte de asistir a un concierto de El .🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️

[@xxczerxx]

Amazing how discipline amounts to freedom like this!

[@lewisjones4158]

The importance of the ear can not be overlooked! Chick can pull these melodies out of thin air and play them because of having such a good ear. Whether it's perfect pitch or relative pitch, they're both very useful.

[@CFGStudioFlamencoGuitarLA]

Spectacular explanation! Couldn’t agree more! This was the same way that Paco de Lucía saw improvisation and exactly how it was taught to me 🤙🏾

[@beenhakkersslagwerkritmisc6489]

you made my day, thank you! what a lesson! You just showed me how to improvise on the piano, but also in life :-)

[@dagostinoification]

SINCE "RETURN TO FOREVER " 1972 i love YOUR MUSIC ! Dear Chick ! (a professional French drummer ,have payed with Rhoda Scott , Thierry Mineau Etienne M'Bappe Guy N'Sangué and others musicians ) friendships !

[@gabrieladurigon]

Qué genio!!! Gracias a Dios por esta vida!!! Thanks Chick Corea!!!

[@fpmtube]

I wonder how more than 200 people did not like the video. Have to believe they hit the wrong button. Corea is a truly genius, with a unique style. I am happy that our lives have overlapped. Lucky me.

[@Kassiusday]

If this guy is your teacher even for one day you wd progress even by just listen to him ...

[@Dublin_N]

That's the #1 way to get better at music: listen. As Chick said in another video, if you hear a musican you like, just listen to them and try to copy exactly what they are playing. Starting there, you can integrate the parts you like into your own sound....over a 60 year career you solidify some pretty good ideas

[@gilbertovalladares1610]

Always great master Chick!!!!!!

[@carlbowles1808]

Great job of describing improvisation, I get it. Thanks you are the bestest and mostest.

[@antoniodelarosa8850]

We'll miss you!! Great and powerfull Chick!!

[@adam__mark]

Love this man! RIP Chick!!

[@rickyguitarman3839]

lots of respect for you Mr Chick Corea!

So good to ear you play, and ear your advices :) The first DVD i bought was you giving lessons :) Thanks for sharing.

[@titolivio6832]

Ho amato la tua musica profondamente, caro Chick. Che tu possa essere sereno.

[@TheRealDannAlexander]

Grateful to have watched this. Researching and writing about improvisation as it pertains to writing. So many ways to tie this in.

[@serviciotecnicoapc5246]

Mi admiración a su magistral genialidad Maestro Corea

[@kingj6753]

Chick You're an EFFIng Genius

[@velardechelo]

Wtf!! this is the best piano channel in the world, i feel like if chick corea is talking to me, thanks youtube!!

[@marcelocornut.guitarist]

Awesome! I will share it with my musicians friends, thanks for making this video :)

[@polszik]

thanks for the text transcription in the description, very useful

[@rondeezy121]

If Chick was a karate teacher he would be a 10 degree master,,,,,,,,I can't even put to words how incredible he is!!!!

[@HarlondN]

Wow.... this is that I need for my boys. Thanks my friend. Love it and will support your channel.