Chuck Leavell "Statesboro Blues" piano instruction excerpt

http://store.chuckleavell.com/video01.html

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• Chuck
• Statesboro
• Blues

[helmusico]

Chuck, world needs your videos

[dennerwi]

Chuck's the best.  arguably the best keyboardist ever.

[SterlingMicrophones]

We at Sterling Audio LOVE Chuck Leavell!

[riedellskates12]

hi pope

[riedellskates12]

hi pope

[pyannaguy]

@laaxe I know what you mean about those comfort keys with their nice convenient "smears" down off the black keys and the "tickling." In keys like E and A, I've managed to find ways to sort of "rub up" or "crush" blue notes and come pretty close to what you're talking about. Won't lie, though - I boogie best in C, G, etc.

Dr. John always amazed with me with the way he makes vocal comfort the determining factor and rocks like a maniac in stubby little keys like Eb.

Keep on rolling!

[laaxe]

@pyannaguy Listened to Kenny Wayne, & from the angle of the camera, I'm sure he'd simply the transpose button! lol No, he's great, & sooo comfortable in A, but I can cop almost everything he did, but in C, G, etc. But there's a distinct "slide-off" the flat/sharp that's missing from every riff he plays. He's absolutely great, and I take nothin' away from him, but as a multi-instrumentalist/songwrit­er, I'm just gonna' have to hit "transpose", or make my live band detune to C when I hit lotto! lol

[pyannaguy]

@laaxe I hear you. I let years pass where I'd always lapse into the Blues in C, G, F - just like you're saying, and I mildly resented the way guitar players were so partial to E, A, etc.

I started noticing lots of piano guys sounding slick and hot in those keys I didn't like (for those reasons you stated). I started to listen carefully (check out Kenny Blues Boss Wayne doing "Going to Chicago" in A, for an example) and I found great licks and phrases outside my former comfort zone.

[tonysblueridge]

Lord help - Chuck is so great. One of my heros, and clearly a fun and sweet human being!

[laaxe]

Just watched a video where Memphis Slim played only with a drummer (firing the other guys), probably because the bass & guitar players (Elmore James) couldn't play blues in C!

[laaxe]

"The Peoples Key" Am I the only blues player who finds my easiest or best sounding riffs (due to sliding off of sharps & flats) in C, then G, then F, getting progressively harder in in most other keys? And why didn't anyone hit the first guitar maker in the head when he tuned his first guitar in E, instead of C?

I don't think this is just a practice thing. Some of my riffs just can't be played in certain keys! Anyone else? Chuck, am I alone here???

[laaxe]

So much of what I can play now is due to this man. Scarey, as that's how I would teach someone, almost lick for lick! Thanks again, Chuck!