THE PIANO LATIN STYLE AND IMPROVISATION OF

CHICK COREA

SAKDA TAMSEEWAN

A THEMATIC PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (MUSIC)

FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

2013

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Copyright by Mahidol University

Fac. of Grad. Studies, Mahidol Univ. Thematic Paper / iv

THE PIANO LATIN STYLE AND IMPROVISATION OF CHICK COREA

SAKDA TAMSEEWAN 5137780 MSMS/M

M.A. (MUSIC)

THEMATIC PAPER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: CHRISTOPHER SCHAUB, D.M.,

PAUL CESARCZYK, D.M.A.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this thematic paper is to show the prominent musical

features of piano playing in the basic traditional Latin style and the correlation with

this and Chick Corea's Latin piano playing style. This paper focuses on the playing

styles pertaining to melody, harmony, chord progressions, chord structures, techniques

and improvisation based on chord progressions in standard jazz songs and Chick

Corea's music, as he is one of the most influential fusion pianists in jazz music history.

The following pieces were studied:

1. Armando’s Rhumba, Composed by Chick Corea

2. Some Day My Prince Will Come, Composed by Frank Churchill

3. What I Need, Composed by Sakda Tamseewan

4. Smile, Composed by Charles Chapplin

5. Spain, Composed by Chick Corea

The analysis of these selections showed that Chick Corea's playing style

resembles the traditional Latin style. The “Fo-Fi” and arpeggio patterns are

collaboratively used and adjustments were made to create uniqueness. Also, basic jazz

chord voicings, such as “close voicing” and “fourth voicing,” were used in

harmonization. In addition, the relationship between chords and scales used in Spain

was also analyzed. This research can be a guideline for improving the playing style of

pianists in both Latin and standard jazz music styles.

The musical selections were performed by the researcher as part of this

project.

KEY WORDS: PIANO LATIN STYLE / LATIN MUSIC / JAZZ IMPROVISATION /

CHICK COREA

71 pages

Copyright by Mahidol University

Fac. of Grad. Studies, Mahidol Univ. Thematic Paper / v

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