The Ray Charles 12-Bar Blues Piano Lick - Piano Lesson (Pianote)

Ray Charles was one of the most important piano players in the history of the instrument. He had an enormously influential role in the development of Gospel, R&B, and Rock music. In this lesson, you’ll learn the approach Ray Charles took in the main riff for the song ‘What I’d Say’.

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ABOUT LISA:
Lisa Witt has been teaching piano for +20 years and in that time has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn to play the songs they love. Lisa received classical piano training through the Royal Conservatory of Music, but she has since embraced popular music and playing by ear in order to accompany herself and others. She is a songwriter and recording artist. Lisa’s contagious enthusiasm will have you excited to practice and return to the keys for your next lesson. Her teaching style focuses on you, making lessons encouraging and fun.

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[PianoteOfficial]

Ready to level up your playing? Get personal coaching tips and structured lessons: enjoy your free 7-day trial to Pianote!

[spectormedia]

Thank you for this exciting Ray Charles blues progression. I'm a 73 year old beginner. You rock!

[spinedoc]

I saw Brother Ray at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village live. It was a blow away experience seeing him live in a small room. As a bonus I got to shake his (big) hand as he was walked in.

[dudleydevine]

That was so good man. I've loved Ray Charles for sixty years and you've put it under my fingers. Practice and magic ✨

[oolabob]

Thank you for this video and all your others I've seen. You have a very practical and clear approach to teaching that hasn't made me feel lost. I started practicing daily on the piano at the beginning of this year, after having played guitar and drums for a long time. I've found that the piano has taught me things about how music works that I could never have learned on another instrument. I've also found that there's enough music theory I haven't learned yet that it can get overwhelming and confusing, unless it gets broken down into simple, small bits.
Thank you for being so good at doing that.
Also, I've loved Ray Charles' music since I was a little kid in the 1960s, and this is part of how his music lives on.

[JohnFemijkeyz]

Thanks for this insightful tutorial on the genius of soul (Ray Charles). I love this song so much and I've tried playing the chords often. I love how you have broken down the chords and really gained some tricks too. Thanks.

[ericamichelleatx]

I very much appreciate your approach to teaching. Thank you for putting this out there. As many others have said already in these comments, we adult students need teachers like you! Thank you, thank you 🙏❤️✌️

[nerderspree]

Simple, easy to follow tutorial. Within half an hour I was starting to get it. I think I’ll just need a couple of days to feel comfortable. Thank you so much!

[bigmoneymandan]

Great video I love music theory so this solicited a lot of confusing concepts into a visual and audio break down I could understand and your good at explaining the notes relationship to each other.

[grinpick]

Way cool, Jordan. I've loved that groove ever since I first heard it in about 1958. Having watched this I might actually learn to play it. The girl with the diamond ring has nothing on you.

[Eyeshaveit]

You made my day!
I wanted to learn this so bad!
I took piano lessons to learn it and I got no where!.
I thought I would try YouTube to learn whatever I can..
And you brightened my day!
Now I have to take my time and learn it.
Thank you!

[nigelrogers]

Thank you awesome teaching technique, I'm a beginner and although I thought this was way out of my league I followed your instructions and within a couple of weeks I got the polyrhythmic thing and this has totally helped my hand independence. I was struggling to get past 2 handed scales onto something musical (that I wanted to listen to) and this worked. I have to say it was hard work, but by breaking it down and learning it slowly I eventually put both hands together and without thinking the rhythm came into my hands. Think it helps that I love this song and grew up hearing it (yeah I am old). Thanks so much for sharing this! 😎

[johnscarano]

Hey - this was a very fun lesson. I take lessons 1x week and look for some fun extra's. You made my day.

[cecilkelley]

Great riff. Thank you for presenting such a good teaching session on this. It’s going to take a lot of work on my part to learn this.

[andytheantifash]

I think I mistakenly slipped through a loophole from lovely beginner land with Lisa to THIS ''watch this as I play it slowly' - plays faster than warp speed' crazy town!

I wanna go Haha.

Thanks Jordan...this is an excellent session! I'm playing the bassline while I type this message!

[phillipswearingin]

Great lesson Piano note. I'm getting into piano as a longtime guitarist and the 5th. chord was a little sketchy to play on guitar. Loved Ray Charles. Thank You sir!

[jaykay]

Man! This is awesome!!!! Excellent teaching process, Pianote! I absolutely love your approach. Camera work is also primo! Thanks so much for breaking it all down so well. I think I might be able to actually play this -- with a lot of work, but at least I have a chance with your breakdown. Cheers!

[claytonemery]

Amazing! One of the tenets of teaching (I was a teacher) is "Demystify the classics." So show how spectacular songs like Foggy Mountain Breakdown are (sort of) easily played on the banjo, or Johnny B Goode works in guitar. Your breakdown is fabulous and easily grasped. Thanks so much!

[chrisBruner]

I like how you've syncopated the left hand. It's not just eight notes, but it has a nice syncopation. Others do not show this. good job!

[Musician-rq]

I'm in my 4th year of self taught Piano/Keyboards and I actually picked this up rather quickly I impressed myself, Lol! I've been a guitarist for 53 years I started when I was 7 and wanted to learn the Piano so, I bought one and I'm teaching myself. P.S "The Lick" is still a bit tricky but I'll get it.