Chooka!

[iancollett6]

 I'd be interested to see what people think of this fella..

   

 He was big headlines down here on Oz a few years back, and Ive always been interested in what the experts think!

[stevensk]

Is this a joke?  It´s the worst performance i´ve seen.
He seems to be a nice guy and has a funny hat but a newbie on piano. It MUST be a joke!

[iancollett6]

Is this a joke?  It´s the worst performance i´ve seen.
He seems to be a nice guy and has a funny hat but a newbie on piano. It MUST be a joke!

 I didnt post this as a joke!, at the same time I didnt post it thinking people were going to judge it as a polished classical performance by a trained virtuoso.
 Its more an interesting story. This 17 year grew up in rural Australia without TV, computers or Internet. He passed his time by tending to his chicken farm and tinkering around on his piano.
 Im quite sure that at the time he had not been playing for long and he hadn't had any lessons.
 Im glad you are prepared to give him some points.....if only for his hat!

[Bob]

Not impressed.

There are so many people doing way more than this at colleges, etc.  This format show just glorifies... something.  And then Joe Public starts believing it.

I'm thinking that guy wanted the little digital piano.  Why couldn't they get the guy a grand piano? 

Yes, he'll judged as classical or jazz.  Esp if they say he's a virtuoso. 

No lessons and isolation isn't telling me he's developing his talent.


Oi... The judges comments... "You can't even teach someone that."  Yes, you can. 


Guy in rural Australia teaches himself some jazz piano.  That's what I'm seeing.  And something's off with his technique.


The annoying thing is the show.  I think that's it is.   Unless that's the point... but I wouldn't watch the show then.

[iancollett6]

 Dont get me wrong, there isnt a single reality show on TV that I will watch. If we take the talent show out of the equation, is there still nothing about this guy that is interesting?  What about his improvisation ability?

[stevensk]

Dont get me wrong, there isnt a single reality show on TV that I will watch. If we take the talent show out of the equation, is there still nothing about this guy that is interesting?  What about his improvisation ability?

Im sorry but I cant find anything intresting in that boys playing.
Listen to Hiromi Uehara. She has what the boy lacks. -A fabulous technique, nice tone, amazing ability to improvise. Jaw dropping musicality
 

[iancollett6]

Im sorry but I cant find anything intresting in that boys playing.
Listen to Hiromi Uehara. She has what the boy lacks. -A fabulous technique, nice tone, amazing ability to improvise. Jaw dropping musicality
 

.........point taken.

[kerryparker]

I think what people fail to see in all this, is that Chooka has made piano popular again, even for countless folk who, once they had heard his music, began enjoying piano! Many, many people have bought pianos/keyboards purely based on the effect Chooka's music has had on them. Some say his is the only piano music they will listen to. And whilst I understand his playing may not be up to some folks' 'expectations or standards', he has clearly won over much support from around the globe. Not everyone enjoys pure classical music etc. He has never put himself in any particular genre, rather plays his emotions...almost always improvised. This first piece shown was heavily edited, as were his other works by the show. So it is not an accurate portrayal of what he is capable of. He has many more videos on his Youtube channel where you can see varying styles and pieces of music. Chooka did ask for a Grand Piano while on the show, but the baby Yamaha had a dreadful, tinny sound, so he had no choice but to play his Roland keyboard. The show did NOT go out of their way for him, and so he was very much left to his own devices. Having said that, he enjoyed his very FIRST ever stage performance on Australia's Got Talent. His goal is to help people with his music, and judging from comments received and support given, he is doing just that. Perhaps you could see that he is bridging a gap that is needed.  Here is one of his videos to enjoy from his channel (Guest appearance on AGT the following year) .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-usHuh7czZU

[iancollett6]

I think what people fail to see in all this, is that Chooka has made piano popular again, even for countless folk who, once they had heard his music, began enjoying piano! Many, many people have bought pianos/keyboards purely based on the effect Chooka's music has had on them. Some say his is the only piano music they will listen to. And whilst I understand his playing may not be up to some folks' 'expectations or standards', he has clearly won over much support from around the globe. Not everyone enjoys pure classical music etc. He has never put himself in any particular genre, rather plays his emotions...almost always improvised. This first piece shown was heavily edited, as were his other works by the show. So it is not an accurate portrayal of what he is capable of. He has many more videos on his Youtube channel where you can see varying styles and pieces of music. Chooka did ask for a Grand Piano while on the show, but the baby Yamaha had a dreadful, tinny sound, so he had no choice but to play his Roland keyboard. The show did NOT go out of their way for him, and so he was very much left to his own devices. Having said that, he enjoyed his very FIRST ever stage performance on Australia's Got Talent. His goal is to help people with his music, and judging from comments received and support given, he is doing just that. Perhaps you could see that he is bridging a gap that is needed.  Here is one of his videos to enjoy from his channel (Guest appearance on AGT the following year) .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-usHuh7czZU

 I see this is your first post Kerry, welcome to the forum! So, are you Australian as well?
 Do you remember when Chooka first appeared, I think it was about 2011?

[Bob]

So if there's an outbreak of Casios in Australia... We'll know who to blame now.  I see.

[iancollett6]

So if there's an outbreak of Casios in Australia... We'll know who to blame now.  I see.

So Bob, thats your second post on Chooka in the last hour, Could it be that you are being won over by the talents and charm of Chooka!

[kerryparker]

G'day,

Yes, I am Australian and also Chooka's mother, so I sure did see him on AGT This is the first time I have posted on these forums, so if my reply doesn't come under your comment, I'm not sure how to fix that.

[iancollett6]

G'day,

Yes, I am Australian and also Chooka's mother, so I sure did see him on AGT This is the first time I have posted on these forums, so if my reply doesn't come under your comment, I'm not sure how to fix that.

You're his Mum!!.....Well I didnt see that coming!

[kerryparker]

Lol, and thanks for the welcome Chooka has gone onto producing 2 CD's and working on a 3rd. He has performed in all but 2 states in Australia and his support and fan base are constantly growing. His music is particularly suited to soundtrack/movies and he has composed for a couple of sites. He has just released his first single..'A Man's Best Friend' in memory of a Jack Russell who died 2 weeks back.

[Bob]

If only we had a link so we could all buy a copy of that CD.

Unfortunately... We'll never be able to do that.

And I have all this money just sitting around.  Guess I'll have to burn it.  It's just getting in the way, taking up space.

[j_menz]

If only we had a link so we could all buy a copy of that CD.

https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ChookaParker

I expect your "thank you" cheque by return post.

[kerryparker]

Not hard to find Chooka's music  Here's a link...https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/chooka-parker/id456377396 All the best!

[Bob]

https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ChookaParker

I expect your "thank you" cheque by return post.

Certainly.  I'll give you an 10% on top of what I pay for Chooka's CD.    (Except we don't use cheques.  We use checks.)  What the heck.  20%.


Was he wearing a stylish hat?  Anyone who wears a stylish hat plays the piano better.  



Now if I could only find a link or something to buy lots of Chooka's CDs/mp3s.  Doesn't anyone have a link or something?  I have all this money I need to spend.

[Bob]

Oops.  Now I see the URLs....

Dang.  Too bad. I just spent all my money on Kenny G and Yanni CDs.

[theholygideons]

Not hard to find Chooka's music  Here's a link...https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/chooka-parker/id456377396 All the best!

maybe you should enrol chooka into the Sydney Con? such potential needs to be brought out. One can't merely rely on raw talent per se.