The Iconic Keys Behind "Superstition" ✨by Stevie Wonder (Song Breakdown)

Join us as Victoria Theodore (keyboardist for Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Arsenio Hall Show, EnSpirits) 🎹 spills the beans on what makes "Superstition" so incredible! 🎹
In this exclusive video, Victoria breaks down the groove, chords, and soulful melodies that define this iconic hit.⚡️ Get ready to dive deep into the secrets behind "Superstition" and elevate your playing to new heights. Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the best, Stevie Wonder’s keyboardists!
⚡️Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:20 Song overview
1:08 Song Structure
1:39 Breaking Down The Intro
2:17 Breaking Down The Chorus
2:38 Chord Choices
3:17 Sheet Music & Track
3:30 Victoria’s Performance
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#superstition #pianotutorial #steviewonder #victoriatheodorea

[@timy9197]

I like that we’re getting someone who played this with Stevie directly to teach us the chords. Sometimes the sheet music can be inaccurate.

[@-303-]

Sometimes? The goal of people who get paid to create sheet music is not to create an accurate representation of the song. Their goal is to create something relatively inexperienced pianists can play that sounds pretty close to the original song without introducing complexity. And do it quickly so they get paid. They have to do this by ear, and not all sheet music writers have the same level of discernment when it comes to hearing the subtleties in recorded music in all styles.

[@olymoon2008]

@@-303- exactly, and that's when you find your keyboard player coming to the studio saying "I got it perfect, as I learned it form the book" (without checking by ears.. An now, try to convince them that the groove is not accurate. lol.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

@@-303- You're correct. I was often frustrated by the inaccuracies of printed music when I was a student. But it's also what helped contribute to developing my ears even more.

[@LeydenAigg]

Often. Don't ever try playing "So What?", by Miles Davis, from the Real Book. The "chords" aren't conventional chords at all, but McCoy Tyner-style stacked fourths. Ditto for any Monk tune, with his sharp sixths, and other chord alterations. The Real Book DOES get the change from "Killer Joe" (all 13ths) right, though. Thank God for small favors... 😂

[@-303-]

Some of my favorite chords of all time! I frequently use them even when soloing more pop/rock music, like my bands' versions of Come Together, Cheap Sunglasses, and more. They really lend themselves to parallel harmonic motion, but that also makes it easy to play "out" and create tension and interest in a way that doesn't feel weird to people. But back to the topic at hand... you're probably not going to see any notation that captures this accurately outside of pure transcription.

[@remoman]

Probably played it over 5000 times, still smiles and gets her groove on. LOVE IT!!!!

[@atlnla4112]

I bought the Stevie Wonder Anthology songbook. It’s pretty accurate, but what I always think when looking at his songs, and chord progressions is that it’s obvious he’s blind. It’s like he chooses notes by feel and sound, not really of chord progressions. Especially with the chromatic movement, and the modulations he often uses in his songs. He’s truly a gifted genius.

[@stevegarcia5004]

Thank You Victoria for your outstanding breakdown of Superstition. Please keep doing this for us lovers of good Music. ❤

[@PianoteOfficial]

🎹🙌🏼✨

[@VictoriaTheodore]

🙏🏽☺

[@bobinscotland]

Interesting fact: The DRUMS on the first demo were played by legendary guitarist JEFF BECK. The band had gone for a break and Jeff stayed with Stevie. He started playing one of the few drum beats he could play, and Stevie asked him to keep it going as he laid down the first riffs of SUPERSTITION... the rest is history.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Yes indeed!! ✨✨✨

[@lukericketts4055]

That performance right there, is funky as hell, you simply cannot listen to this song and not groove with it…. Well done Victoria….. and thank you Stevie for writing it…. Genius

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@chucknola484]

I’ve always liked this song but for whatever reason as I’ve gotten older I’ve appreciated this song even more.

[@chuckblue4632]

INDEED!!! Well Said My Friend!

[@cliffhughes6010]

Stevie is a musical genius

[@SlowBloke123]

Facts

[@ottonormalverbrauch3794]

​@@SlowBloke123😊 That's a fact indeed!

[@GL0697]

Some people are just born music, Stevie is one of those.

[@dookoonu2741]

Yes he is!

[@stanhanel4743]

Beautiful presentation! Loved the counter-melodies of this song. We played them in a marching drum ensemble during the 1970s with the pentatonic bass riff on tuned tom-tom drums and the counter-melody riffs from the horns on steel drums. Always a crowd-pleaser as we strutted down the street during parades. I was in the US Army in Monterey, CA at the time. The arrangement provided a wonderful lift to the spirit during those years. Long live Mr. Wonder and his continuous inspiration! Great to see him still active at the recent NAMM 2024 show 50 years later. Genius!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Ah that must have been amazing! Stevie's music is so vital 🙏🏽☺

[@peterdvideos]

I loved Stevie’s drumming back in the day.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

Wow, so much taste and funky playing 'in the pocket' from this Queen of the Keys! There is a whole year of education and entertainment in this one video alone! Thank you, Victoria Theodore and Pianote for making this!

[@vielcollins9337]

Watching this video made me so happy that I have tears in my eyes. A thousand thanks.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

🙏🏽☺

[@S2NAZ]

Stevie Wonder is pure musical genius. She really did this justice 👍🏻❤

[@Kevin-bn2fz]

I tried to figure out the keyboard parts years ago but it was impossible for me to figure out exactly what he played on the layered clavinet parts. It sounded one-dimensional to me and I just read in the comments that there were 8 layered parts (so it's no wonder I couldn't figure it out). I never even noticed the quarter notes in the left hand doubing the bass. This is amazing to see and hear clavinet patterns individually!

[@derrickw5204]

This song was way ahead of it's time in 1973 . Stevie recorded it in 16 tracks , 3 for the drums and it's mesmerizing ! This song epitomizes the genius of Stevie Wonder and what he can do to make a good song .

[@maestromddavis8770]

Greetings, my Sista. Outstanding job as usual. Please consider "Overjoyed." I love your touch.

[@chuckblue4632]

Agree 💯

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Great idea! Maybe we'll do that one too ☺

[@ghana1823]

The actual session for this song has been floating around for years, I have it also. That Clav is Not just one part. And on the record, no guitar in the intro. The Clav is actually 8 separate parts played 2gether. I have all 8 tracks separated, plus an alternative lead vocal with Stevie talking, patting his foot and making sounds in-between singing. Where he keeps saying "Funky, - Funky Monkey". Because the track was so grooving to him. Also I have his soloed drum track, plus the horns soloed. And the final lead vocal that ended up on the record!

[@philippezsiga1125]

True ! It s at least 6/7 clavinet parts played together. There s some video on Utube with much better arrangement than this one to try to get more close to the record…..

[@ghana1823]

@philippezsiga1125 I just listened to it again yesterday this is Exactly what's in the folder. 1st Clav 2nd Clav 3rd Clav 4th Clav 5th Clav 6th Clav 7th Clav 8th Clav 9. Horns 10. Horns 11. Bass 12. Cymbals 13. Kick 14. Drum Kit 15. Released Lead Vocal 16. Alternative Unreleased Vocal. This was provided to music schools like Berklee in Boston where I come from for educational purposes, to teach studio recording.

[@saloniagrawal5676]

@@ghana1823 Hello! I hope you're doing well. If it's alright with you, could you please share the session with me? I'm a musician, I would love to dig deeper into this song! Also, as a keyboardist, I reallly want to figure what exactly is going on, so I can replicate it when playing live :)

[@VictoriaTheodore]

You're correct. This video is more for the musician who wants to play it live with a level of accuracy.

[@ghana1823]

@VictoriaTheodore 🙏🏾❤️Do you have what I mentioned? If not I'll send it to you. I'm sure u must have it.

[@andrewbonica]

I've always wanted to play this song. The groove is addictive but so hard for me to play anytime I've tried by ear. Will give this a shot! 🎹🎵

[@chuckblue4632]

Great Artists will continue to Breakdown Stevie’s Music for Decades, Perhaps Centuries…

[@curtisbrown3847]

One of the best songs of all time ❤😊

[@blockeighteen1059]

100%. Still sounds as fresh as it did the day it was made. Pure genius.

[@scottyahney8565]

Thank You Victoria for your BEAUTIFUL breakdown of Superstition !!!!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

You're welcome! 🙏🏽☺

[@mazellahouston6101]

VICTORIA!!! So proud to know you!!! Use your skills, Sister!!!! 🙏🏾🌻🌈🌏🌅💜💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

[@MarkHiew]

This song to me is a classic example of musical genius of the funky variety. I love the way she explains the song in a fun, approachable and technical way. Thank you so much for breaking down what makes this song and specifically the keyboard parts so dang good!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏽☺

[@1derment]

Great to see you out there sharing your skills/expertise and the genius Stevie has rubbed off on you.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from the Maestro 🙏🏽☺

[@FauxieDaoJia]

Clavi and Stevie are synonymous. Nobody quite gets there, nor the 'thunk' on the keys on 'I Wish'. He's a treasure.

[@darlenecoleman70]

... well - if I had to drop my piano lessons with you so you could go work with The Master, and this is the result, I can only scream with joy!! Lovin' this!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

🙏🏽☺

[@craigfowler]

What an AMAZING chance to learn what's actually going on this song! Thank you Victoria!!!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

You're welcome 🙏🏽☺

[@dicksugar]

Much respect for you Victoria!!!

[@stephanleo]

Thank you Victoria, great video and breakdown (and finally the right chords for the chorus!)

[@maxx.mazzeo]

This is GOLD!

[@thesmallnotesduo]

I play this on guitar live and even in that stripped down format people LOVE this riff/song

[@flyerscout2]

Awesome break down. Thanks for sharing.

[@justingaines2024]

I like this! Very much. Good job Victoria!

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

Loved it! Thank you!!!

[@LFOVCF]

THIS IS GOLD! Thank you Victoria for something i've waited decades for. Truly from the horses mouth, because i know Stevie will have gone over this with you.

[@KDL064]

Beau, ti and very full! Thanks so much...I enjoyed this so much with a smile on my face all through...I have been playing this song by ear all my life, nice to finally get to see what the real thing is...GOD Bless you!

[@blockeighteen1059]

Truly amazing. Thank you.

[@drdr3496]

What a talent from this lady!

[@GillanMusicArt]

Excellent, one of the best piano demonstrations regarding this music genre, with a super talented lady keyboard player. And s lady with a wonderful personality. All the very best to you, you are a great inspiration.

[@reinaldomaia9431]

perfect!!

[@DanielBarberMusic]

I used to love playing this in my wedding/party band. I worked out the basics, but this fleshes it all out more thoroughly, especially that 2nd part that gives everything that more complex vitality. Can't wait to get back to the keys and work through this more! Thank you for this enjoyable video. Love your beauty and great energy, too!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@Digmen1]

Thanks Victoria I really enjoyed that. I used to play in bands at the time Stevie was at his best.

[@brianelza9807]

Always wanted to learn this one!!!

[@olymoon2008]

Fantastic, really!! Thank you for sharing this song that is harder to really catch properly than it seems. Thank you!!!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@LeydenAigg]

This, and "Outta Space" by Billy Preston are about the finest uses of the Hohner D6 Clavivet I ever heard. I used to use a Clavinet patch to impersonate a rhythm guitar, when I was still involved in house music production. When you have to FedEx that finished track tomorrow...

[@jamesfranke6932]

Thank you....😊😊 You're awesome

[@AnneMarieBeiber11]

I love it, I would also love to have a video of just her hands while playing the full version!!

[@J3unG]

I been listening to this tune since 1976. I been playing it in bands for years after that and I NEVER KNEW THE RIGHT CHORDS FOR THE 'CHORUS'. Thank you so much Ms. Theodore for this lesson. I really learnt something here and now I can go to my grave understanding a song that became part of my life in the proper way. Cheers!

[@xespintorvillares1568]

I'm still a beginner, but as soon as I advance I'll learn it right away !!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jds9958]

That's great thanks for sharing. I remember when this came out in the 70's.

[@mdp303]

She has a real talent for teaching and she plays great can clearly sing. I understand she is also a dancer…amazing talent

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@sjl-nb1kw]

Great lesson by a GREAT master!!

[@HenkJanDrums]

Super! Thanks.

[@ADF-fe7fv]

Thank you for this, Sister! I've been wanting this for a long time! Nuff said.

[@joemitchell9981]

I love Stevie Wonder and this song in particular. Pretty sophisticated for a pop tune. Every time I try to come up with a funky riff, I end up rewriting this one. Can't improve on perfection.

[@firegod555]

I can't believe this video doesn't have more views! This song is so fireeee and she looks like she's having such a good time, legit reminds me of Chad Smith on drums just enjoying the music they're laying down

[@almadixon-cider31]

Amazing!

[@bobmccaslin2040]

Great player, and wonderful voice too!!!

[@barrycoulter6951]

The awesome Stevie Wonder! Great song…!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

🙏🏽☺

[@pappabearlee8938]

Thank you!

[@LGDoc]

Thanks for the tutorial and breaking down the parts. Now that I know what's actually being played, I was able to work it out and play both parts together. Way back in the late sixties when I was still in high school, I was in a warmup band on a show with Stevie at the Camden Convention Center in Camden, NJ. A great experience and memory.

[@mattwharton5939]

This was the video I always needed in my life. Thank you so much for sharing your skills and knowledge !!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

You're welcome! 🙏🏽☺

[@GeneralSulla]

Surely fun to dance to back in my day. Its excellence? I leave that determination to musicians way better than I. I just played the album till it smoothed out like plate, then bought another one!

[@catboyzee]

At 1:01...and you suffuuuuhhhhhh. Stevie, Stevie, Stevie!!!! Thanks for the refresher Victoria.

[@no-ee]

Awesome!

[@RobertCrickmore]

Been doing this for years and happy to see I had it pretty close but you just cleaned it up a bit for me. Also, the comment about the actual session with 8 parts or whatever isn't what this is about, this is about doing it live. Stevie isn't about to hire a bunch of people for one song as part of a live show so yeah, this sounds about right for one keys player plus a guitar part.

[@LeoCagape]

Wow she’s so amazing! So inspiring as a keyboardist.

[@digigroovestudios]

I love it.😀Good stuff...

[@JudgeFredd]

Excellent !

[@poerava]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@brodylanetx]

Love this, thank you

[@PianoteOfficial]

You are so welcome!🎹✨

[@plebian44]

Great work 👏👍 happy I watched your breakdown.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@peterkabongokalala9875]

Excellent touch

[@PianoteOfficial]

🎹🙌🏼✨

[@user-xz8id9qy5y]

Nice 😊 definitely history making

[@patricioferreira5495]

Clavinet is so funky, it works similar as guitar, then it emulates funk guitar sounds and techs.

[@John.Khormtepir]

Unlock the incredible healing power of calming music and learn

[@4thesakeofitname]

Oh she's so coool!

[@bigkeezo]

Bravo 👏🏾

[@rlittlefield2691]

Amazing lady, in they 70's I listened to that song, over and over and over, I must have liked it.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

☺

[@RonGalloway]

Victoria Theodore = Queen

[@patricioferreira5495]

Lovely and beautiful lady!❤

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you Ron! 🙏🏽☺

[@VictoriaTheodore]

@@patricioferreira5495 🙏🏽☺

[@giasone777]

I love Stevie Wonder.

[@meta-fisica]

Olá Victoria, foi muito emocionante conhecer você e seu trabalho. Obrigado por este momento de arte e talento. 🌹

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Muito obrigada! 🙏🏽☺

[@davebertoletti]

What an amazing artist she is…

[@Crunkboy415]

Stevie has Jeff Beck to thank, because it was his fooling around with the drums that inspired Stevie to create that clavinet riff.

[@davidkyle2073]

And I’m sure you know Stevie wrote this song for Jeff to record first. Good story about how Stevie’s version came about…

[@larrybremer4930]

I love the appreciation for unusual chords and progressions. That is what has drawn me to stuff like the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), Beatles (Rubber Soul and pretty much everything after), Pink Floyd (entire catalog), and Supertramp (with its very jazz and classical influence). When I want to get lost in a sound those are my favorite Go-To's.

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

Well Victoria Theodore has brought the funk to Pianote! Stevie Wonder!!!!!!! How about that! Phenomenal!!!!!!!

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@michaelkaplan9625]

That second (guitar) part!

[@zxkevin57]

Beautiful young lady you are awesome

[@FutureAbe]

Stevie plays the riff with his left hand though, and the corresponding chords with the right. I have noticed this

[@313mph]

The only difference between the way her and stevie play it is that stevie played the main melody with his left hand. So Dope their live show together!

[@romulus_]

Excellent breakdown from a superlative player.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

Thank you! 🙏🏽☺

[@prod.pookah]

woahhhh he used the A dom flat 5 for i cant help it as well. so cool

[@alexandremorris6097]

Incredible song !! Fun fact , it was written in collaboration with Jeff Beck, and i think if i am not mistaking that jeff realesed his version first.

[@VictoriaTheodore]

I wasn't there, but the story I heard was that Jeff was supposed to release it first, but for some reason his project got delayed, so Stevie released it.

[@VegasAlien1]

Jeff was invited to play on Talking Book and Stevie would write a song for Jeff. During a break, Jeff was putzing around on a drumkit when Stevie walked in and told him to keep playing the beat. Stevie improvised the main phrase of this song and later recorded all his parts and ended up releasing the song first.

[@strauqq1]

Niice!

[@claudevieaul1465]

Thank you so much for this!! 🙏🙏🙏 It's so easily over-played... I've played it many times wuth multiple bands, and usually the guitarists can't wait to play that lick - at which point I always stop the song 🤣🤣🤣🤣 "It's either you or me, buddy!" That Clavi part really needs to be punchy and concise - having a good drummer helps tremendously. It really becomes challenging (but still doable!) once there's a band with just a singer, guitarist, bassplayer and drummer - and they expect you to do everything else, *precisely* as they know it from the original... 🤣🤣🤣

[@VictoriaTheodore]

I completely understand! I always give a guitarist the side eye if they play the riff too - unless they're super funky! 😂

[@daunomartinez3257]

Go Victoria :)

[@housemusicfano6260]

🤩

[@yohannesmeshesha1553]

❤❤❤

[@michaelkaplan9625]

And don't forget to listen to Maybe Your Baby, the other ultimate clavinet jam from that album.

[@bartmulder6995]

Wow, what a beautiful person