how to play ray charles what'd i say
Quick Scoop
To play Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say,” start with a simple bluesy keyboard groove in E: the song mainly moves between E, A, and B, with a repeating intro riff built around E and B notes. Several tutorials describe the core feel as a steady 12-bar blues pattern with a classic call-and- response rhythm.Basic shape
A common beginner-friendly roadmap is:- Sit on E for four bars.
- Move to A for two bars.
- Return to E for two bars.
- Go to B for one bar.
- Move to A for one bar.
- Finish back on E.
Intro feel
For the intro, one tutorial breaks the opening as holding E, then playing B twice, then D and E; the same kind of pattern repeats over A and B with small note changes. Another tutorial says the intro can be played with the left hand holding bass notes while the right hand outlines the chord tones and riffs.Easy way in
If you want the simplest entry point, keep the left hand on root notes and the right hand on a small repeating shape. The sound matters more than dense chords here: lean into rhythm, stay loose, and let the groove breathe.Practical starting notes
- Over E: try E in the left hand, with B and other chord tones in the right.
- Over A: move the left hand to A, and shift the right hand to A-chord tones.
- Over B: move the left hand to B, then return to A and E as the progression cycles.
How to practice
Start by looping just the bass pattern before adding the right hand. Then practice the intro riff slowly, one chord change at a time, until the transitions feel automatic.The main trick is groove, not speed.
| Part | What to play |
|---|---|
| Verse groove | 12-bar blues in E with E, A, and B changes. |
| Intro | Repeating E-based riff with simple chord-tone movement. |
| Best practice method | Left-hand roots first, then add right-hand rhythm. |