I Gotta Play That: China Grove Classic Lick

http://www.namm.org
http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/
http://www.scottthepianoguy.com
Scott "The Piano Guy" Houston has been called the Pied Piper of recreational music-making" by giving hope to millions who just want to sit at the piano and play their favorite tunes. Here Scott and guest Karl Propst discuss playing the Doobie Brothers hit, China Grove.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• piano
• music
• lessons
• scott
• houston
• guy
• acoustic
• how-to
• instruction
• namm
• wanna
• play
• classic
• rock
• doobie
• brothers

[rebelmunro]

If you can't play it in the Right Key! Do'nt waste MY time! Wanted to Learn some good tunes from this site, But, Why bother? When you can't even play it in the right key!!

[pianoguytv]

@rebelmunro FACT: There is no "right" or "wrong" key. Now having said that might I surmise you mean the key it was recorded in? My guest on the show was playing it in a key that he could sing it, which makes it "right" for him. Professional musicians (as should you) play tunes in a key that allows their vocal range to work. What good is it to play it in the key someone recorded it in if your voice sounds like crap because it would be too high or low for you?

[amagic1]

If it's a tutorial, it should be played in the key the song was written in. I don't see the point in learning it in a different key, especially one so much lower than the original. You can't even sing it in that key. Otherwise, good tutorial, but everything would change drastically in the key of E.

[pianoguytv]

@amagic1 I respectfully have to disagree. You might not be able to sing it in C, but Carl can, and does nightly when he's out working gigs. That's why we did it in C, because that's where he sings it. There's nothing "magic" about a key a tune is recorded in. I'm sure the Doobies did it in E because that's where they could sing it well. We all have different ranges with our voices. My two cents ...

[lbmusictchr]

@rebelmunro, a Jazz Piano Teacher would have you learn it in C, then C#, then D, then Eb, through all 12 keys. Why don't you take the lesson and improve your technical skills, instead of disrespecting someome who's providing online lessons for free?

[MrRockitRide]

Yes I agree you have to play this stuff in the right key. I am trying to add some more piano to this tune with my band the Rum Runners. Check us out doing China Grove on Youtube, but my keyboard playing is lame for sure....this didn't help...ouch!

[lbmusictchr]

@trux04, if you play this song with your band, then why are you looking at a Beginner's Tutorial? The song was performed in the key of E because most brain-dead guitarists only know how to play in E or A or G or... Hello, they're called the "Doobies" for a reason. :)

[Dave78mYT]

@rebelmunro consider that as a tutorial, it is much easier to play in the key of C than the key of E. We have no way of knowing, but this may have easier for the pianist in the video as well.

[jasonkneil]

@rebelmunro also you could just transpose it....

[Dennizzz119]

Guitarist wannabe, sell that thing and buy some electric guitar, thatk you very much.

[studman4250]

1. this is the guitar part.

2. its in the wrong key.

[lovern2]

weak I transposed it to E just a little more work Thanks :)