Jazz Pianist Reacts to Adele - Easy On Me

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

It's taken me a long time to unlearn my "stuck up" music opinions and allow myself to simply enjoy good music without feeling like I'm not supposed to. The truth is, I never didn't enjoy good music, I just tried to convince myself I didn't because it wasn't "good enough." If you've been through something similar in your musical journey, what was some of the music that forced you to just say "yeah ok, this is just really good and I don't care how 'complex' it is"?

[@alwayslucky664]

hey charles

[@MostLikelyMortal]

Please react to the Ace Combat soundtracks! They’re absolutely incredible and infinitely interesting. I’d recommend Daredevil (AC7), Mimic: Rage and Scream (AC7), Zero (AC0), and Liberation of Gracemeria (AC5).

[@jonahk1495]

Definitely lalala by LMFAO

[@leahergenreder6413]

Silvana Estrada tiny desk, you can thank me later

[@sacker987]

Such a good question! A few Bob Dylan songs certainly helped remind me that a guy singing and playing open chords on a guitar can be amazing music. Also reminded me that it's easy to miss profound lyrics if I'm only listening for cool chord changes! Most my music metaphors are about food, so I think of all the 1-5-6-4 chord pop songs like french fries - there's a reason they're so popular and you should allow yourself to enjoy them, but I wouldn't recommend that being the only thing you consume. Flip side for someone who only ever talks about the fanciest spices and dishes. It's fun to get creative and complex, but after a while you'll burn out if you forget that it's ok to enjoy those cheap tacos 😂

[@dawnmichelle4403]

"Complexity does not equal quality" a lesson I have learned as I have learned to cook. Music and food, two great things that can be delicious and yet simple!

[@qzoid3060]

I think it applies to most things tbf

[@coperturaghi]

@@qzoid3060 c'mon, you ruined it

[@grudley]

I especially learned this with Italian cooking. Make few ingredients shine. Cacio e pepe has just three ingredients and is so good

[@clauseland9005]

Hear hear. So true. I too found myself dissing simple but good music, just because it was simple. Maybe all musicians has to though an asshole period, to find them selfs?!

[@clauseland9005]

Hear hear. So true. I too found myself dissing simple but good music, just because it was simple. Maybe all musicians has to though an asshole period, to find them selfs?!

[@mikeattia8750]

"Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art." -Chopin

[@JoelHernandez-yl6yw]

👏🏼 great quote

[@giocosovelasco]

-says the guy who composed ballade no 1

[@olliemartinelli4034]

I had this problem for a while. But then I realised that quality of music always comes down to the emotion it gives. If a piece of music, no matter it’s complexity (at both ends of the spectrum) makes u feel something, then it is undoubtedly good music. That’s why I really struggle to understand people who only listen to pop or rap, or people who only and exclusively listen to classical, because I can’t help but feel that they are missing out on such a wide complexity of emotions that it is possible to feel through the vast array of music that is available to us.

[@mtelewicz]

I was going to post something similar, but you absolutely captured my feelings on the matter. Thanks.

[@florencemartinelli4944]

Mmmmm mmmmm Yh Yh no rlly you’ve rlly hit the nail on the head there mmm

[@olliemartinelli4034]

@@florencemartinelli4944 shut up Tom Misch is literally your profile pic

[@florencemartinelli4944]

@@olliemartinelli4034 ✌️not me living that life I wanna live🤪

[@olliemartinelli4034]

@@florencemartinelli4944 @Mike T agrees with me so you can’t hurt me

[@jeremymanson1781]

Greg Kurstin who produced the track and played the three instruments (piano, bass and programmed kick drum) is known to be an accomplished jazz musician.

[@InventorZahran]

I wonder why he used a programmed kick drum... Since it's just a kick with no other drumming elements, it was probably just easier to program it than to play it live.

[@jonathanmong4927]

@@InventorZahran It was the tonal sound I think, he wanted the heartbeat sound that an acoustic drum doesn't have but a digital kick drum is quite good

[@lancehatley8529]

Something I’ve been told as a bass player: “You must serve the song rather than serve yourself.” Similar to the ‘complexity doesn’t equal quality’ thing for sure

[@cinema3522]

So true! That’s what made rock and pop artist from the 50’s to 70’s legends, their ability to know what a song needed rather then being complex to be complex.

[@BlissOn47]

The raw production adds so much identity to this song.

[@luisss1906]

Can't wait for you to react to the new album "An Evening with Silk Sonic" I think you're gonna love it!

[@LefGermenlis]

same

[@carterkopacki9625]

He better

[@yadihu2554]

YESSSS

[@blackxalex]

Same here

[@jessebell8328]

Hi everyone, I have a question. Do you agree that music is infinite? Given that there is a finite amount of notes and finite amount of hearing ranges, is it possible that we can still come with endless ideas of music. And to be clear, I'm not talking about adding a single note and calling it a new song, are changing a pitch very slightly that's inaudible to the human ear and calling it a new song, but is it really possible to create endless new songs with the limitations of notes and keys on an 88 key piano? Please let me know your thoughts.

[@9adde5]

The thing about simplicity vs complexity is that once you can play complex things, it is easy to hide in them. It is harder to make a simple song sound reeeeally good. A complex one gives you a lot for free. That Adele can carry such a simple, naked song so well is such a testimony to her artistry and skill as a singer (to be fair, the vocals are not really simple).

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Adele's music isn't art, it's a whole museum at this point

[@emrekalis5831]

thank you kim jong-un, very cool!

[@GG_Edify]

@@emrekalis5831 🤣 lmao

[@kenthepianoman8483]

It would sound better if you weren't the Supreme Leader of North Korea

[@ijhhcfionlkgs]

Have you gotten hate for naming yourself Kim Jong Un

[@shirleym.7005]

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY! it's the simplicity that makes it absolutely brilliant!!! CAN'T STOP STREAMING IT

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The song is like a good audiobook. The more you listen, the more you get into it

[@ncard00]

Angelina Jordan’s cover is the best version of this song on the internet, it’s so much better than Adele’s, sorry, but I really don’t like her voice.

[@rohiogerv22]

The word that I keep coming back to with Adele is "stark". It's not that her singing is cold; it's very personal, honestly. But the power, the control, behind the singing does create a certain sense of distance. A lot of Adele's work simply treats this as a byproduct, in my opinion, but in this song it feels very much like it's very much being highlighted, the whole song shaped around it. It's like she's calling down from the top of a mountain, but singing just to you at the same time. It's very cool.

[@modernmusicofthedarkages296]

Charles enjoying the music like a 6 year old at a level far above us all makes me enjoy his videos so much

[@knotwrite]

It's just so pure. It feels like there's absolutely no walls or barriers up, we're just getting a direct beam of emotion. I've seriously listened to the song 20 times now and I STILL get choked up. The last time I felt this way was with Chris Cornell and Jeff Buckley.

[@DLCaster]

What I call minimalistic music has always caused me to pay more attention to what is going on in what is there. Easy On Me is beautifully crafted and sung. I was drawn to it immediately by the quality inherent in what minimalism can bring to a well-written, emotion-laden, and well-played song.

[@parttimecubing7413]

Charles, my dude..I’m not gonna lie to you. The main reason I watch your channel is I love listening to good piano being played. This video is wonderful.

[@wyshwood]

Like you, I took a few decades to move away from my stuck groove of what I like and don't like. Once I ditched the snobbery it opened my world of music to all kinds of styles. I should thank my Dad, for as a child he appreciated everything from brass bands to synthesizer concertos to rock and pop. I heard these things but did not listen. Now they are an invisible source of influences within me that I can draw on when writing tunes. I have no limited style, despite my technical limitations as a player and it feeds me every day with joy to know that something new is on the horizon constantly. Adele is a force that I would have failed to recognise previously, but now I am blown away by the pure art and beautiful shapes she creates with her vocals enveloping the backing. This song in particular is absolute flawed perfection in a world of adjusted, time aligned music. Please can we have more from every genre that is not bleached and quantized, because that is the way humans communicate best?

[@larrywagner1432]

I hadn’t heard the song until Rick Beato reacted to it. It really is an amazing song for many reason. But for me it is the simplicity and rawness. You can hear the imperfections, the motion, and the life of the song. Nothing is hidden behind post production. And that’s glorious.

[@JeremyRaden]

Perfectly said, Adele’s music is so pure and not overproduced… a rarity in today’s music

[@ethanbrooks2140]

Consider this my day one of asking Charles to review and breakdown ANYTHING Bill Evans

Going back to folk and blues changed my life. Now more than ever we need simplicity, honesty and humanity in music and Adele completely embodies that!!

[@natpicking]

Your point about music being so produced and electronic at 9:00 is something even Adele is proud of. She raised this at the end of her recent live show when introducing and thanking her band. That it's REAL music. 🙌🏻

[@ShimmyShimmyK8]

Whenever I hear this song, my brain adds the harmony. But Adele's incredible voice doesn't need anything other to be celebrated! This song is amazing! Another song that I'm glad it doesn't add extra harmonies is I Never Wanted To Be That Girl by Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde. Since it's just the two of them singing, they're the two harmonies. It's genius!

[@sousou2531]

Now i think that we are all waiting to see you reacting to silk sonic's incredible album.

[@christopher5981]

Yaaaassss

[@TanukiSC]

Probably my favorite video that you’ve done. Time brings appreciation. Age brings appreciation. And regardless of whether this song is simple or not, it’s one that many of us will be listening to for a long time to come. Maybe that’s the real measure. Regardless, loved your reaction to this and can’t wait for your next one.

[@felixkoefoed3996]

I absolutely love this song, the voice is so INCREDIBLY amazing! Especially the part where she stretches the ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-ea-sy on me. That gives me chilllss 🥶🤯 This song is so sick!

[@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495]

Yeah, that bit is difficult to sing and keep it flowing the way that she does too. Just watch all those KZbin voice coach reaction vids for proof that even people who know technique can't anywhere near it; same thing with all the YT covers I've heard so far to be honest. I think this song demonstrates and re-iterates why Adele is destined to go down in history as one of the best female artists/ singers ever, and by some margin. I'm by no means a fanboy, and I don't care for some of her stuff quite frankly, but you just can't deny her sheer talent and ability to grab people's attention with her songs.

[@BLUECRABNETWORK]

Love how excited he gets when figuring out the chords. I wish i could listen to a song then play it! Very cool.

[@anurag.dwivedy]

New lesson I learnt today. Thanks to Sir Charles for teaching me "More complex doesn't mean better"

[@carlopoli8561]

I love simplicity, I love simple but effective piano parts and I love this song! ❤️

[@SriLankanStuff]

We need that SILK SONIC review doe the full album

[@officialhowlmusic]

Yeh

[@andrewleavitt6548]

I've been looking for this regularly for weeks now. There's nobody I'd rather hear react to that album than Charles.

[@skylee5029]

YES

[@elijahwhite3720]

“Complexity does not equal quality” a good analogy for appreciating things that we have gotten used to in life :) remember not to take things seen as “givens” for granted.

[@Ineddiblehulk]

I work in screen storytelling and can attest to simplicity ALWAYS being the goal. If something is ‘simple’ it’s robust and then you can explore all manner of complexity within the simplicity. If it’s ‘complex’ it collapses under its own exposition and ends up a mess. Simplicity is ALWAYS the genius standard. And the most ‘complex’ stories, at their heart are simple, and that’s why they’re genius - it takes genius to say so much with such robust efficiency

[@caswelljohnstone200]

Watching you get past your "scripted part" and into the organic, natural, and honest reaction and breakdown is just so genuine to witness. Your joy and excitement bridges the gap of my lack of knowledge on the subject and your clear mastery of the subject. Your joy allows me to appreciate the excellence of the quality of the music without requiring me to have a degree in the field.

[@ScottGlasgowMusic]

Great video! Amazing song.... and a lesson in simplicity showing that vocal "magic" is what it's about not complexity.

[@madisonholtze7344]

That ii chord made me SO happy the first time I heard it in the song! And agreed on the whole complexity thing. For me, while I was in music school for both my BM and MM, I lived with non-musicians. I realized early on that while complexity was often awesome, it didn't diminish the emotion and connection my friends felt to simpler songs. Who was I to say that the simpler music they liked was somehow invalid or less appropriate? When I started looking for SOMETHING to like in every song and genre, I realized that there were some really amazing things happening in music that wasn't deemed as complex as some of the things we learn in school.

[@joezink881]

I first heard Adele on this up and coming artist preview and it was her singing to a small audience. I was walking through the house, probably cleaning or something and as soon as I heard her voice I stopped what I was doing came in and sat and listened to her sing. You just knew her voice was legendary.

[@flo4368]

I had seen Mr Beato's take on it and love watching your reaction to it as well. It's really refreshing seeing great musicians be taken by Adele's voice and the emotions she conveys. A group I'd love to see you both react to is Parcels, especially their newly released double album.

[@nicholaspapapanou1269]

I’d absolutely love a breakdown/reaction of Silk Sonic’s new album! It’s amazing and right up your alley.

[@MercenaryMuse]

I love to see your joy! What a gift; thank you for sharing your love with us!

[@albertlopez2762]

With all the intricacies of life, sometimes less is more and simple things can rule the day - such as a great cup of coffee, a sunset or a walk with a friend. Congrats on your progress just enjoying life and not being so judgy.

[@obnoxious2471]

I love the way she sings "world" (4:21)

[@Skip6235]

I love watching you get excited over music. It’s so infectious.

[@Ejee511]

This guy’s literally Mozart, just listening to the song once and he can play it perfectly

[@jkoleee7107]

Damn, I loved seeing how excited you got listening to this! Huge props to you for recognizing the ego in wanting to listen to complex music, as someone who only recently started to get into the jazz/prog side of things it was a really good reminder for me to not attach myself to the perceived value of 'complex' music. What I think is interesting, is that there is a good level of proficiency required to write good simple music (I might be wrong here). I know that a lot of 'complex' music is written based on very simple things. For example, there is this video of Plini (prog guitarist), explaining how he writes music, and it usually starts with a very simple rock chord progression that then is embellished by all the jazzy extensions. Also, extrapolating from my own experience as someone who did dances for 9 years, it was always very simple and slow choreographies that required the most skill. Cause when you don't hide behind all the excessive movement you need to expose your technique and be very deliberate with every movement. I think it might be similar in writing 'simple' music.

[@BarrettBaker_photos]

This is the second video that I cried at. Damn you Chris. Adele, and the Mr. Rogers video. Your videos are too good and you touch my heart through jazz music. Again, good sir, damn you. Lol

[@grahtman]

Personally Easy on Me is my favorite Adele song. So simple but beautiful. A musical masterclass.

[@kaspianocz6330]

melody and instrumentation is simple, so you can really focus on Adele's voice, and appreciate nuances and colours. Very clever, works nicely

[@lydiamartin.]

I’m glad someone is in love with music as much as I am. People sometimes make fun of others for being ‘obsessed’ with music, but it’s refreshing to see someone truly and deeply enjoy the art of music.

[@Pingoping]

This song really shows that people still love this "raw" style of music, yet it's been massively lacking in the pop industry, which is honestly surprising to me.

[@reinhardtwilhelm5415]

Massively lacking? Adele’s one of the biggest names in the industry.

[@Pingoping]

@@reinhardtwilhelm5415 This is her first single in like 6 years

[@jeffm868]

I watched this after a long bad day..I loved your palpable joy and enthusiasm about this piece..thanks..need this

[@TonyLeva]

Finally some music! No trap beat, no auto tune just words and music !

[@no_notes1229]

0:47 - THANK YOU. I thought just the same thing for many years (and so did many of the ones I hang out with), digging and playing complex jazz and prog rock. But as you say, complexity and quality are not related. Took a long time to realise it, and appreciate just quality. Hope more can realise that too and find more music to enjoy - because that's what it's all about.

[@barking_mad6649]

The harmony in this song is just so good. I know of a couple of Adele tunes and saw Rick's video but this has been played dozens of times. There's a cool (unofficial) 80s version too.

[@gomezfriesen]

This song gives me hope that there are still musicians, and more importantly, listeners who still want to hear a raw performance. Not that heavily produced music is bad. But the human, in the raw, done well, is hard not to have your guts renched in a way that quantizing and auto tunning can never do... Change my mind.

[@kelbydurnin165]

I too have been on the unlearning uprightness journey, feels good to allow yourself to enjoy just quality music. Love this

[@apollyonzorz]

Love your excitement in discovering little pieces of the music.

[@joshalba]

What an incredible song. So beautiful, so clean, so strong!

[@spongechameleon6940]

leave every charles cornell video with a new, fuller understanding of music, thanks man ♥️

[@anthonymajor431]

Listening to and having a break down of complex music such as some of the videos you’ve posted and songs by Jacob collier have done me the service of both making me feel like I’ve never really “heard” music before and simultaneously deepening my appreciation of more simple music.

[@wrenclark4907]

something about the way charles is such a big fan of other theory youtubers just really warms my heart

[@JoelLangley]

It was one of the most fun songs I’ve ever learned on piano. So many little nuances between the verses and choruses that keep it interesting and exciting

[@d.g.5468]

I have no idea what you say most of the time when explaining music but I LOVE how excited you get so I just keep watching your videos to see your excitement 😄

[@luckylinda7777]

You can really get lost in the music when it’s simple. It is food for the soul. In fact I watched your countenance in the beginning when you were playing and i could see you feeling the music more then usual.

[@strawberrylovenotes]

Why am I weeping to this man breaking down and appreciating the majesty that is Adele 😭

[@stevem6587]

I, too, have struggled with 'jazz snobbery', and it's WAY better than it used to be. I really appreciate your outlook and attitude on this, and it's helped me a lot (and especially since my wife is now watching your videos with me and saying "YEAH, SEE? CHARLES GETS IT"). All of that being said, this song doesn't do a ton for me, and neither does Adele, and some of the reason for that is that I've played with a multitude of singers over the years who are even better, and are relegated to wedding gigs and small clubs. I feel sad about that. I went into medicine to support my jazz habit, so I've only ever gigged because I love it (sure, beer money in college/med school was awesome). Thanks again, Charles. Love your work! I do wish you'd post more of you shedding on killer jazz tunes like Giant Steps. :)

[@TheVarietyProject]

Absolutely love this video Charles can't honestly say Howard times I've watched it. Especially love it when you say "is so nice!!!" About the minor2 chord (Gm) lol makes me smile. Love your videos and analysis

[@efesal8348]

Beatiful. Just beautiful.

[@willissellars6304]

Now you can watch Rick's... he really does a good job of unpacking the vocals and the minimal accompaniment. He didn't note the change in chord progression that you did. I haven't seen Adam's review yet... I'll look for it now. Thanks for this reaction vid!

[@aisadal2521]

Ooh, wasn't expecting a reaction to our queen's new song! 👏😯💖

[@samuelsalita1660]

Great to see some creators still making quality music.

[@thomaskittock2866]

I don't think *anyone* truly dislikes this song. Masterpiece.

[@mattias5157]

Then I´m the first one on your list, haha. I don´t know what Adele has that I truly dislike. I truly dislike her! Not as a person, I´ve seen interviews with her and I really like her as a person. But. I. Can´t. Stand. Her. Singing. I have no idea why.........

[@rottenbabylon]

​@@mattias5157strange

[@Mixturerich]

I don't have deep musical training beyond high school Jazz Stage Band. However, I have a musical ear and like Charles, I used to measure music on its complexity from Jazz to Classical to Prog Rock. Anything else was looked down upon, but I also have grown to love simple music that is powerful and meaningful or simply enjoyable. Adele is absolutely incredible and her influences shine through. Thanks for making great videos like this.

[@Fantasticleman]

It's "Incredible" in how it's so "Simple"! It's... ...simply incredible. 😉

[@rottenbabylon]

I personally think simplicity is key. I believe in three chords and the power of words and emotions. Can probably only name 4 Adele songs but i appreciate her as an artist.

[@percyjackson4455]

to the part with the "simple, rough, just piano, voice and microphone": you can actually also hear that in the chorus where she is a tiny bit too high on the "ea" from "easy" (Adam Neele pointed this out in his video)

[@sasa1203]

I think that pop music nowadays is so geared towards the lyrics that the music is inevitably simplistic, which can be boring to listen to if you are someone who focuses on the music more than the lyrics and the voice. But as a raw, emotional piece of someone's soul, a simpler song is so powerful.

[@benjaminmorgan1562]

I love that you’re not “perfect” before the video. WE become part of the process. Love you, Charles!

[@hhcofcmds]

I also love a kind of clear simplicity in Aerosmith - Dream on.

[@denaro572]

I enjoy watching you enjoying yourself while enjoying music. nice!

[@Mtthyman]

While I love complex music I have always loved a stripped down version where you can hear the artists emotions just pour from their soul

[@MuadDibfromSertao]

I listen this song for the first time and was so powerful felling! Adele still delivery amazing songs!

[@amygreen9662]

This is great! I can't wait till Friday. Looking forward most to Woman Like Me.

[@WoodyGamesUK]

The chords are simple but the little riff on the piano in the intro and that carries through the verse has nice dynamics and an interesting rhythm.

[@DojoOfCool]

Great to hear great song, singer, and simple production so the soul of the singer and musicians come out. People today understand if it not good simple layers of production aren't going to make it good. And too much production can ruin what was a great song and performance. People want to feel the performer's soul be it vocal or instrumental it's all about emotion.

[@onecrispyfrie1932]

the album just came out and I fucking love it. it's basically 21 meets soul music and I fucking love it

[@vjijfx2437]

Simplicity is the ultimate Sofistication

[@Znatnhos]

Man, 4:18, Neely was right. It's incredible how that very slight temperament difference makes this section hit so different. Comparing Adele to Charles's equal-temperament piano makes a striking difference.

[@deanbordignon]

Dude! I've always liked your videos, but this format has to be my favourite. Keep it up.. this is so fun to watch/listen to

[@BLUECRABNETWORK]

This may be my favorite Adele song. I also love Skyfall and Oh My God

[@loganseaburg8041]

This is such an awesome video, really insightful. The big question though, when is the Silk Sonic album reaction coming out

[@christopher5981]

You’re right

[@bennyelsensohn9299]

I really love the raw and real quality of this song! Almost everything on the radio nowadays sounds the same and could be everyone. I am talking about overproducing and polishing every tiny bit. Especially vocals are just ridiculous sometimes. But i respect the stylistic approach of those genres i just don't understand. Music has to grow and go adventurous paths, but somehow i just question if it is only mass producing something that sounds the same and can generate big money in short time or if it is really a piece of art that is made with love and attention to emotions. Adele showed again, that incredibly good Pop Music can be made with just one simple piano and a beautiful, raw and sometimes cracking voice. And just the fact that the voice is not pitch corrected by insane amounts is almost a successful stunt nowadays!

[@lucifereveningstar]

EXACTLY! "The song is simple but that doesn't necessarily mean that the artist doesn't know/they couldn't add complex improvs in it " I have been understanding the things you said about neglecting the simple but beautiful songs. I have always appreciated the quite complex raagas in Indian Classical Music and never even tried to take interest in the fact that simplicity doesn't always mean lesser than needed.

[@reinhardtwilhelm5415]

9:30 It’s actually not about the public, like, at all. The song is pretty explicitly an open letter to her young son about her divorce, asking him to understand.

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

1 4 5 blues can still give me chills if done right.

[@andreskosberg4566]

The thing with simple is that, you don't rrally have to analize the whole thing, just feel it, one can sing, play, improvize easily on this, and go with the flow.

[@annazhao211]

also fun fact: this song isn't really directed to the media but her explaining her divorce to her son- that little detail adds so much depth to the lyrics and the emotion within the vocals

[@minorscale7745]

My "stuck up" music opinions used to influence my taste as many songs seemed too simple and generic to be enjoyable but recently I finally realised that music doesn't have to be complex for it to be good. Save Your Tears by The Weeknd is one of those songs and that's what I love it for. Easy but quality listening.

[@psy0rz]

Love it when Charles is into it like that

[@riteasrain]

Love this song, so many yummy yet simple chords, recorded it to put on my channel next, couldn't resist!

[@ethanvelazquez6077]

I think with the complexity thing people like something that's familiar, but still has something new and interesting