Steal This Lick To Sound Like Ray Charles
Learning Focus
Music Style
Free Lessons
Get free weekly lessons, practice tips, and downloadable resources to your inbox!
Want your blues playing to sound a whole lot more… legit?
In this week’s lesson, I’m breaking down 5 of Ray Charles’ signature blues licks that you can start using right away.
The cool part? Most of them are built from the same simple blues scale with just a few clever twists. Ray had a way of taking basic ideas and making them sound absolutely unforgettable.
In this lesson, you’ll learn things like:
🎹 The tiny note that gives your blues lines instant attitude
🎹 A crunchy “runner” lick that flies up the keyboard
🎹 How Ray mixed country slip notes into his blues playing
🎹 The secret fourths that gave his playing that unmistakable sound
🎹 My favorite Ray Charles lick (it’s way easier than it sounds!)
If you’ve ever wanted your solos to sound more authentic—and a little more like the legends—this lesson is packed with ideas you’ll actually use.
Jonny May
Jonathan May is a pianist from Southern California who specializes in many styles of piano. At age eighteen, Jonny became the youngest pianist to perform at Disneyland. Each week he entertained thousands of guests with his arrangements of American classics and Disney songs. Jonny has also performed with the Youtube...
More Free Lessons
Learn how Elton John plays piano accompaniment in 3 steps: his chords, his rhythm, and 5 of his signature techniques.
In this lesson, I’ll show you why learning what to say no to is the fastest way to grow at the piano.
Learn my “no note” system for turning plain major, minor and dominant chords into thick, lush cluster voicings, then use it to transform Amazing Grace.
Looking for downloads?
Subscribe to a membership plan for full access to this Quick Tip's sheet music and backing tracks!
Join Us
Get instant access to this Quick Tip and other member features with a PWJ membership!
Guided Learning Tracks
View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels
Progress Tracking
Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress
Downloadable Resources
Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks
Community Forums
Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums
Become a better piano player today. Try us out completely free for 14 days!