[78-L] Keys--was: 14 inch Victor Special DeLuxe

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark L. Bardenwerper, Sr." <citroenid19 at sbcglobal.net>
> neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com wrote:
>> Just because it is easy to set the speed, doesn't mean he did it. Or
>> that he has any perception of pitch or time. Just because he is a
>> collector doesn't mean he has that good of musical perception.
>> "So easy a cave man can do it". Just like programming a VCR...
 I believe that bands prefer keys with flats in them, perhaps because
>> they have so many instruments written in B flat or E-flat. Or those keys
>> just lie easy under the hand. so to speak.
>> So E-flat would be a good key, C not so much...
>>
>
> I play oboe and flute. The main reason we like these keys is because the
> fingerings are easier to reach and the ranges of many songs are written
> so make the notes stay within the comfortable ranges of the varied
> instruments found in most bands, particularly trills and fast passages.
>
VERY interesting! I am (when I get the chance...?!) a blues harmonicist...
and thus play harmonicae "cross-harp" or "Second Position!" Therefore,
I usually select a "harp" five full tones below the band's key...i.e. to 
play
in E (popular key for guitarists) I use an "A" harp!

A while ago, I worked regularly with a saxophonist...he thought in "horn
keys," so I had another layer of complexity added...?! Sadly, guitar/harp
keys VERY rarely match saxophone keys; in fact, I bought an Ab harp
so I could play blues in Eb! I never quite figured out the different system
used to designate his "sax keys" I left it to him...I'd call a tune in a 
"guitar
key" (i.e. the actual music key," and leave it up to him to figure out which
"horn key" he had to use...!

Steven C. Barr