How to Play Like Chick Corea: A Tribute To The Master

RIP Chick Corea. How did Chick use pentatonics, chromaticism, diminished patterns, and more to create a unique blend of his influences and create a style completely unique to him? What else can we learn from studying his playing? As a small way of honoring Chick's legacy, let's dive into analyzing his playing together and see if we can figure out some good ways of understanding how he approached improvisation so that his sound lives on in all of us each time we sit down at the piano.
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[@kencory2476]

Thanks, Noah. "Light as a Feather" landed about 1972 when I was just coming into my own as a piano player. All my friends, on whatever instruments, were just blown away by the waves of optimism and joy and power in the music, as well as Chick's mastery of the Fender Rhodes, its wah-wah pedal, and the warm distortion of his amps. It was really a watershed album. We all learned "Spain" right that very year.

[@itom1994]

It hits diff when he had an immortal image on my mind. He truly lived through every era and styles. I loved Chick’s “ten drummers” concept.. RIP master.

[@bogusdogus]

Noah, thank you so much for this wonderful roundup tribute to Chick and his playing. You are a great player and teacher. I really enjoy your vids. After a career as a working pro in Australia I have used Covid as an opportunity to go back and study all the stuff I should have learned better in my youth. It’s a joy listening to your playing, it’s like a full hit list of stuff I would love to correct and develop in my own playing!! Now I have a ton of new things to practice because of this fabulous video! Thanks!. RIP Chick. M

[@DojoOfCool]

Excellent lesson and tribute. RIP Maestro Corea thank you for all you shared with us.

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks for watching 🙏 and you’re welcome. RIP to the master.

My favorite Corea album is "FRIENDS".

[@vernebattig2389]

love that music as well

[@giuseppe_corea]

And eye of the beholder(elektric band)👌👌👌

[@daniellurman9093]

Beneath the mask for me!

[@thomaslaw2308]

Wow. I’ve wanted this analysis since I bought ‘The Leprechaun’ album on vinyl at a garage sale sometime in the early 1970’s. That was 50 years ago. I’ve had jazz piano teachers over the years who couldn’t give me what you have just done on this video. Thank you thank you thank you. I get it!!!!

[@bluch251]

One thing to think about is the geometry at the time Chick created for this project. His approach and ability to mold a new sound to the project he worked on was paramount. He always talked about listening, recording yourself, transcribing...and as a player working on things; you will know what to work on. Chick had a canny way of inventing a new sound from his toolbox of goodies and creating a completely new landscape.

[@jesuloin]

My go to would be the live album "Trilogy" with Christian McBride and Brian Blade as well as his very recent studio album "Antidote" with some of the greatest flamenco musicians I know (being a Spaniard and flamenco lover I had to pick that one as my favourite). Thank you so much Noah for all your lessons and specially this one. Hopefully we can all start passing on his legacy!! R.I.P. Chick

[@bluch251]

Noah Thank You for this insight and sharing your thoughts. Chick was unique as we all are and thats the way it should be. The beauty is you open up at the end and tell us your story; Sounds great.

[@hazmaticx8714]

i literally grew up with his music,my dad intruduced him to me so it hit pretty hard when he passed,definitely one of my music heroes.

[@RogerLato2]

Thank you so much Noah for sharing this. You are an angel !

[@percywalker3960]

Chick was def. a pioneer,and graceful. Out of the box king,and truly friendly. Loved when he teamed with Gonzalo. Noah love all you do,and thank you for teaching me.

[@AllIn1Studio]

Again, I really appreciate your generosity in sharing your experience, passion and story. 💕🎶💕🙏

[@NoahKellman]

Thank you Melissa, appreciate your kind words.

[@titolivio6832]

Grazie per questo tributo ad un grande maestro!

[@Michael_Dominic]

I came here as a Zevon fan trying to get ideas on how to approach arranging Chick's piano lines on Zevon's "Long Arm of the Law" super informative, loved your passion for him and his music and how approachable you made a lot of these advanced harmonic concepts that to my ear made zero sense before. thank you!!

[@paulinebuckles2310]

Love your videos - you get into the feel of the individual player in a way that's understandable.

[@danielmay5337]

Great lesson thanks Noah. Chick will always be remembered

[@johnkeener7347]

I met Chick Corea back when I was a teenager when Chick played mini concerts at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater Florida while he was involved in the Church of Scientology. Been a fan of Chick for over 55 years. Thanks Noah. Appreciate all your work for understanding Chick's music.

[@dannytyrell4929]

thank you for this...you are appreciated

[@SammyGyang]

I'm honored to meet you here sir. I'm learning a lot from you

[@michaelvillarosa7622]

Great workshop session on Chick Corea! I’m a big fan myself of the “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” album. Thank you so much for the valuable information and knowledge you’re sharing here! 👏👍

[@NoahKellman]

You’re welcome, Michael! Thanks for the comment 🙏

[@danjacobson1365]

Wow ..what a super video session...there's a gold mind of information here relevant to all musicians not just pianist . I'm a guitar player who listens all the time to Chick Corea (RIP) and this is exactly what I've been looking for. I wish this stuff was written in a book !!...Great job Noah.... keep up with your fantastic vids !!

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, Dan! Really glad to hear you found it useful. Will definitely have more videos like this coming in the future.

[@clintsudweeksmusic8816]

Love your videos! Keep them coming!

[@clydiehamilton1895]

This is so wonderful. I'm 70+ years old. Played in clubs often from age 15. It was a rough ride. If only you could have helped me back in the day........still thanks so much I am loving this.

[@NoahKellman]

Hey so glad you are enjoying it!

[@mybiggrin]

I really appreciate you. Thank you. You are so great at explaining things! Thanks for the phone tip too!

[@NoahKellman]

Haha you’re quite welcome! Appreciate you watching and leaving a comment 🙏

[@lexusmaxus]

amazing analysis I hv nvr seen someone break down Chick Corea before major kudos

[@brucejeric6701]

Thank you Noah for this lesson and tribute to such a jazz giant. I searched through my old vinyl and found the album that inspired you. You said you were in your teens. I was 25 in 1970 when I discovered chick and got into jazz. Late in life I guess. Chick was 27 when he recorded now he sings, now he sobs. I’m 75 now I still couldn’t come close to this level of musical expression technically. That’s for sure. Frustrated then. Frustrated now. But I’m back to playing some of his tunes in loving memory. I really appreciate your lesson on his playing style. I will study for sure. Thank you again. I have a few of his other albums- return to forever, improvisations vol1 and 2, and romantic warrior. No record player for 30-40 years.

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Bruce, thanks so much for the comment. I’m glad you’re back to playing some of his tunes and enjoying yourself, and I’m sorry to hear you’ve been frustrated playing-wise, but I’m guessing you’re not giving yourself enough credit! If you’d ever be interested in some guidance feel free to reach out!

[@aivrsn75phila]

Noah, I am kicking myself too, but I DID get his book and thanked him for it.

[@redrooz]

Very interesting analysis of Chick Corea's playing style and also very useful for us jazz guitarists. :) Nice job.

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, appreciate the comment and glad you found it useful!

[@pvillez]

So grateful, thank you so much. You unlock a whole world for us.

[@JustMenta]

I certainly felt your genuine passion in this video, bravo.

[@edwardgordon6044]

thank you so much such an insight into improv.

[@88KeysMan]

Great video! It was fun watching and learning. Here's to Chick!

[@davidolahmusic]

Thank you once again for this stream Noah! 💗💖. R.I.P. master. Chick and Oscar were the first two jazzmen which I've ever heard in my life. My father was listening to them a lot. In march 2020 Chick should have play the concert with Ch. McBride and B. Blade in Vienna and I wanted to go there to write a report because I am writing for jazz website here in Slovakia. Unfortunately, the pandemic suddenly stopped everything. I am shocked and still can't believe he passed away. My heart hurts a lot, more than I 've ever expected. Maybe because I have clear vision in my mind when I watched one of his legendary trio concerts - at the blue note with Vitous and Haynes on VHS with my father. I was maybe 9 years old. I did not understand the music of course. It was hard, but the energy was so contagious and inspiring. R.I.P. master. Thank you for everything!

[@jesuloin]

Good to see you here, David!! So nice to know that you are doing jazz related stuff still in BA (I assume). I absolutely share your feelings of grief about this unmeasurable loss...

[@NoahKellman]

Man I’m sorry I know it’s a really sad loss- his playing was such an inspiration to me as well as a pianist. But we really are so lucky that he left us with so much incredible music to listen to, and now even a lot of wonderful filmed educational moments. He’ll always be an inspiration!

[@davidolahmusic]

@@jesuloin heey maan, nice to see you on this wonderful yt channel. Noah is great player and teacher 🤩🤓. How are you Jesus? Thank you for your sharing. Chick was the GOAT. 💖💝💔

[@davidolahmusic]

@@NoahKellman yeah man, it is very sad thing but exactly as you said. We have a ton of music and everything Chick created here. Thank you for your contribution and all the great work, Noah 🙏💗

[@jesuloin]

@@davidolahmusic haha, I am doing good! Visiting the channel regularly to get some new insights :D Next time I'm in Bratislava I'll let you know so we can jam a bit. Take care!! *.*

[@joeypepsiii]

amazing video. also, just downloaded chordie! so excited to teach w it

[@hakeemfayomi7776]

Amazing stuff. Good work. God bless you

[@jamesnewberry2945]

first I heard so sad all my hero's leaving RIP and thank you Master

[@austinpayne5643]

Wow!!! Great breakdown

[@NoahKellman]

Glad you dug it man! Thanks for checking it out

[@grocheo1]

Thank you very very much

[@NoahKellman]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lukeweston1234]

Chick is so amazing to listen to. He can add so much color to anything.

[@NoahKellman]

So true-- one thing I love about him too is how many bright colors he adds. Just in general though I love that you used the word color, his music makes me think of so many different bright colors in general, know what I mean?

[@lukeweston1234]

@@NoahKellman yeah I know what you mean. The best pianists create soundscapes

[@daniellisowski4919]

Great lesson. You play fantastic And are doing a tribute to a Jazz legend. Dl.

[@WeauxPiano]

This is difficult, time to learn. Subbed!

[@sirrobinhood3409]

Great story Noah! Oscar eventually had a stroke and could not play like he once did. He still did some gigs. I have arthritis so it hits home. You do what you can.

[@MrBobbyspark]

Really Great thank you so much,😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏🙋‍♂️

[@uriben-gal6620]

Noah, you are a seriously bad-ass player and analyst. All the very best !

[@juliannazareth6795]

This is great atleast someone like u can explain all the things he does

[@eduardosposito8052]

Thanks a lot Noah

[@atomman40]

Great 👍 tutorial of the Latin Maestro

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks appreciate the comment 🙏

[@ananddhere4317]

Your sound is close to "C.C" R.I.P..Maestro 🌹🙏

[@francismbore925]

Thank you sir 🙏may his soul rest in peace

[@NoahKellman]

Of course. Hopefully we can help out by studying his incredible playing. Lucky he left us with so much incredible information and music.

[@francismbore925]

He did well 🍁

[@efraga78]

Dear Noah, I´m feeling terrible and in the same way. Thanks for your video and your words.

[@tomelizalde7838]

I feel you Enrique I saw RTF in 77 And it was one of the highlights of my life !!

[@jonathandeutsch3991]

and then mom called. classic Noah! great information. thanks!

[@floaty10]

Good first job pal. Look forward to more live streams.

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks appreciate you tuning in! More to come soon.

[@richardjackson5670]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery. I’ve never heard someone get upset because you wanted to sound like someone else. I try to take from everyone. That’s what musicians do.

[@NoahKellman]

Agree completely, Richard. Thanks for the comment 🙏

[@brucejeric6701]

I’m 75 now. I still have that album. Love it to!!

[@eternalrainbow-cj3iu]

Chick Corea one of My Greatest inspirations..ever he fused all stules like no one togetjer with Scofield Holdsworth and the otjer Great Pianist Mc Coy and Chicl seemed.tp have booked about the same.tickets with a slight delay of 2 years lets Pray for Herbie the pther Great pn & KEITH

[@stephendanjumael-buba2353]

RIP Maestro Corea ...

[@davidwhite2949]

The album that really blew me away was Return to Forever’s “no mystery“. I listened to it daily in college I also really loved his piano improvisations series, his work with Béla Fleck, all of it really

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks for the recommendation, David. I haven't listened to that one much. Will definitely be checking it out!

[@Thundergod-]

Romantic Warrior with RTF and My Spanish Heart were both EPIC albums from 1976 and are my personal favourites....

[@Shades289]

Noah this is very nice of you to do my brother

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks Shades I’m glad you dug it!

[@EduBerigo]

Great job!! What's the name of this software that shows the keyboard, notes and chords?

[@ThomasHope73]

I remember hearing 'Fickle Funk' on the radio and and thinking "Wow what's this?, I hope the DJ hasn't announced it already, I have to know". I listened intently, marvelling at the ..err ... fickle funk!.. and as luck would have it the DJ told all... Secret Agent was the LP on my must have list from that moment.

[@davidolahmusic]

My personal favorite albums of Chick are "Three Quartets", "Light As A Feather" and "Chick Corea Acoustic Band".

[@NoahKellman]

Awesome, I’m going to listen to all three of these again this week. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@davidolahmusic]

@@NoahKellman My pleasure, man. I would be intetested in your personal favorite albums beside "Now he sings, now he sobs"? That is also fantastic album of course 💖💝🙏😍.

[@SeanTheDiscoNinja]

Oh! Three Quartets is incredible. I played No.1 for a university recital. Such a cool piece.

[@NoahKellman]

@@SeanTheDiscoNinja Oh yeah totally incredible. I'm gonna listen to that again right now.

[@davidolahmusic]

@@NoahKellman That is just awesome recording. The whole band is just burning. M. Brecker is my another big hero. What are your personal favorites beside "Now he sings, now he sobs?"

[@Solcius123123]

RIP Chick. Thanks for the video, what piano VST do you use?

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Samy, I like The Maverick and The Grandeur from Native Instruments

[@joseph2707]

I wish you well.

[@NoahKellman]

Thank you, really appreciate it 🙏🙏

[@Jack-fs2im]

at least you help me a bit from always starting on the same chords .

[@bluch251]

Now he sings was Chick's bench mark in my opinion. That work was the recipe for what will be a complete canon of works.

[@davidwhite2949]

Hi Noah: Awesome stuff I do have one suggestion: if the video of your hands could go under the digital keyboard, And the video of you on the mic could go to the right Otherwise, still pondering the loss of Chick. What a profound impact he had

[@NoahKellman]

Hey David, thanks for the suggestion. Will definitely try to make that happen in the future once I’ve got all the right equipment!

[@davidwhite2949]

@@NoahKellman Sounds great, Noah. I’m realizing, too, they usually have an overhead cam for the hands - parallel to the digital keyboard

[@curtko0752]

My 3 are "Hot House", "Inner Space" and "Trilogy" R.I.P. Chick Corea

[@NoahKellman]

Awesome, haven’t listened to any of those nearly enough! Which do you recommend ssomeone start with?

[@davidwhite2949]

Hi Noah: Thinking of you. I remember you were asking for recommendations on Chick Corea albums If you haven’t heard this already, do yourself a favor, and check this out Chick Corea, Piano, improvisations, volume one David

[@jonathanosborn4800]

I think Chick is, overall, the best jazz pianist, and the best jazz trio musician. Tatum the best solo jazz pianist, Medeski the best multi-keyboardist. While Chick did have a sort of softer ballad side to him, for the most part, i think, his strengths were intense music, but he wasnt manic, he had lots of strong contrast. My favorite albums of his: "TimeWarp"; "Acoustic Band"; Romantic Warrior"; "now He Sings..."; "New Trio". I give special mention to his sideman duties on "Joe Henderson Big Band", and with the Miles Davis "Lost" trio. I do love the "Sobs" style Chick, and I lament a bit that he sort of lost that sound afterwards. Don't get me wrong, overall, I prefer final-stage Chick, which i think of from 89/Acoustik Band onward.

[@what.company]

Hey Noah my name is Leo I absolutely love your work I think it's one of the leading and it's some of the greatest content with respect to you know being jazz jazz piano on KZbin so thank you you in like Olivia fine but anyway just wanted to say you know I don't you know I don't think you I just want you to like totally like fear confident in your when you do these like how to play like you know you don't have to like you know make a disclaimer about like you're playing not matching up I mean you know man you got to remember that you're you're giving like these insights into these players who like if we can steal one of two things from we're going to be jazzed on it you know so I just just roll to say you know I mean you know just trust your you know trust you the sort of mode you're already working in cuz it's it's totally working and it hasn't obvious and sort of lasting value for all of us so anyway I just thought I'd say that just to really just to read you know that you should just trust yourself and you really don't have to be like well that didn't sound like I said it's like you're giving insight into these amazing players that like if we expected you to sound like it would just yeah I just anyway I love your work thank you

[@theintercom9720]

Do Cecil Taylor!

[@aadamsavul3044]

26:53

[@cisumgre]

#Practice

[@gerrycappuccio4186]

His Stan Getz Sweet Rain recording & Hubert Laws recordings are my favorites!

[@TonyPadalino]

Great Job Noah! A little constructive criticism coming from a good place. Try a little less sustain pedal.

[@abababa6897]

I thought matrix was straight from a love supreme - pursuance

[@Dianagarcialopez2002]

😪😪😪

[@andresleon8892]

F

[@SanMaiero]

My piano Doesn’t do this :/

[@rolandgerard6064]

So sad!

[@zdogg8]

Your content and ideas are good, I don't think you need to say each idea four times, IOW, you talk more than you demonstrate and that weighs your presentation down, big time.

[@Thundergod-]

You're high. Nobody can play like Chick no matter how much you practice....

[@davidwhite2949]

And of course in a silent way and bitches brew with Miles Davis

[@rik-keymusic160]

But chick isn’t really playing bebop but some sort of different language compared to like real bebop players…

[@giacomoleopardo-tb4sb]

a lil too optimistic

[@hjakroon123]

Always sounds a bit forced this music. Exercises more.

[@richiebeirach3671]

why dont you encourage people how TO SOUND LIKE THEMSELVES instead of encouraging them TO COPY A MASTER ??isnt the true essence of the jazz tradition to attain a sense of THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE MUSIC ?? COPYING SOMEONE ELSES STUFF CAN BE FUN BUT IN THE END its the contribution of the INDIVIDUALS view of the world through their music

[@hjakroon123]

Too much intro talking!!

[@poerava]

I think you just like saying the word ‘chick’.

[@KeithCopeland778]

No offense, but no one can play like Chick Corea.

[@NoahKellman]

None taken. But we can definitely analyze his playing and learn a lot from him!

[@KeithCopeland778]

@@NoahKellman Absolutely!!!

[@joseph2707]

10 minutes in and not a scintilla of instruction. Unsubscribing.

[@NoahKellman]

My channel is literally an entire jazz piano course built over years of hard work all online for free. Your loss! Cheers 🥂

[@joseph2707]

Bad quality. No loss.

[@NoahKellman]

@@joseph2707 Nice one 👏 you are totally entitled to your opinion and I encourage you to seek out the information that works best for you and your learning style. That said, the whole concept of unsubscribing from a channel with literally hundreds of free videos that took years of work to create, and feeling the need to leave a critical comment about it, is simply unnecessary, disrespectful and not helpful. If on the other hand you wanted to provide some constructive feedback about this video and/or videos as a whole, that’s encouraged and appreciated.

[@joseph2707]

My comment speaks for itself. It's not phrased in the magic words you prefer, but criticism is perfectly valid and, for you, necessary. To be charitable, you were disrespectful with our time. You were dishonest in your responses. You know you were trying to get us to watch your long intro because you thought you would profit from it. Here is your "profit." Was it worth it?

[@NoahKellman]

​@@joseph2707 Hey Joseph, this was literally the first-ever live stream that I did. I had no intention of wasting anyone's time, and yet again you are speaking to someone who has spent years upon years generating free content for folks online. As it is, I am also putting together lots of free lessons and live streams and group lessons in my Discord community as well, generating a notable amount of high quality free lessons that take a ton of work. As is true for many online creators, this is my bread and butter, so again my point is unsubscribing because one single video on my channel had a longer intro than you like, even if it had promotional material included is 100% your loss. By the way, I do again appreciate constructive feedback, will keep in mind shorter intros (in fact, I already do in more recent videos, as again this is a many years old video) and if you'd ever like to join the community or attend any of the free group lessons, ear training sessions, and live streams, you are welcome, despite this less-than-encouraging exchange. I wish you all the best in your endeavors and hope you find a channel you enjoy learning from.

[@jcjones8986]

Talking too much instead of getting to the point

[@SeanTheDiscoNinja]

How insensitive can you be? An absolute legend of the craft has just passed, let us grieve and stop being selfish.