How To Play Like Chick Corea

In this thread we explore the style of Chick Corea.

Chick Corea Biography:

Download full biography: Chick Corea Biography.pdf (17.7 KB)

When it comes to musicians who’s art has no boundaries between genres, one of the first names that comes to mind is Chick Corea. His career has expanded over 50 decades and counting. He is one of the pioneers and main voices in the birth and development of jazz fusion, has won 23 Grammys, and been nominated over 60 times.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: Chick Corea - Suggested Discography.pdf (18.8 KB)

  • Now He Sings, Now He Sobs - Trio w/ Miroslav Vitouš (b) & Roy Haynes (dr) 1968
    Spotify Link Here
  • Crystal Silence - Duo w/ Gary Burton (vibraphone) 1972
    Spotify Link Here
  • Light As A Feather - Return To Forever w/ Flora Purim (voc), Joe Farrell (fl, sax), Stanley Clarke (b) & Airto Moreira (dr) 1972
    Spotify Link Here
  • Chick Corea Akoustic Band - Trio w/ John Patitucci (b) & Dave Weckl (dr) 1989
    YouTube Link Here

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on Chick Corea’s style, soloing, comping as well as an overall look into the tradition of jazz through his artistry.
  • Exercises are transcription-based, following with a closer look into certain details of his playing. This way we can combine ear-training with learning the language of jazz, as well as analyzing closely what is happening.
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Transcription Exercise No. 1

- Level: Advanced!

Steps/What Was - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

This transcription exercise covers the full theme of ‘Steps’ as well as first 3 choruses of Chick Corea’s piano solo, starting at 00:46.

Click here for the start of the solo

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Steps Transcription Exercise.pdf (30.8 KB)

Steps Transcription Exercise.mscz (17.9 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing parts
  • Left Hand : transcribe the missing part on the theme

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with supporting material and an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo, and how to practice with it.

If you have any questions with the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

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Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 1

Steps/What Was - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

Click here for the start of the solo

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

Steps Transcription.pdf (40.7 KB)

Steps Transcription.mscz (25.8 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Steps Analysis.pdf (170.5 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!

-Tuomo

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Armando’s Rhumba - Album: My Spanish Heart

This transcription exercise covers the piano solo of ‘Armando’s Rhumba’, starting at 02:38.

Click here for the start of the solo

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Armando’s Rhumba Trancription Exercise.pdf (34.1 KB)

Armando’s Rhumba Trancription Exercise.mscz (16.4 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing parts

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with supporting material and an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo, and how to practice with it.

If you have any questions about the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 2

Armando’s Rhumba - Album: My Spanish Heart

Click here for the start of the solo

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

Armando’s Rhumba Transcription.pdf (39.4 KB)

Armando’s Rhumba Transcription.mscz (21.3 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Armando’s Rhumba Analysis.pdf (269.8 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!

-Tuomo