Re: [Harp-L] Which key?

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

The last note of a verse or the entire piece is almost always the keynote, "Do" in the key of the song.
Keep that note in your head and find it as hole-1 or 4 blow on a harmonica of the same key. 

The last chord of the song is almost always the tonic or "I" chord of the key, found as the blow chord on a straight diatonic harp or the draw chord of a cross diatonic harp.

If it is 12-bar blues, and you are playing cross harp, find a harp on which the draw chord in the low holes sounds in tune with the chords played by the band in measures 1, 3, 7,  or 11. 

If the guitarist's index finger spends a lot of time at the...
... first fret, the key is likely C, E, or F 
... second fret, the key is likely A or D
... third fret, the key is likely G
... higher up the neck, ask him!

No rule is hard and fast but these clues may be helpful.

Vern

On Oct 19, 2010, at 11:02 AM, Philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:

> The real issue here is how to determine the key. Somebodysomewhere has a 
> list of the concert key (really the guitar key) the song is recorded in on the 
> Internet. The problem comes with somebody records the song is key that is 
> not the famous one. And what if you left your laptop at home?
> 
> SO now maybe it is time to go round again with the best tricks for finding 
> the key on a recording? What's your best way? Anybody? 
> In general, if the song has guitars, chances are it's in a guitar friendly 
> key: C, D, E, F, G, A.   If it has horns -- Dixieland, jazz, it's in a flat 
> key: Ab, Bb, Eb....
> 
> Phil
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 10/19/10 10:06:49 AM, billhines4@xxxxxxxxx writes:
> 
> 
>> True, most of us know that, but in the vast number of cases, the person 
>> is
>> asking what key the studio version is in, so that they can play along and
>> learn it. I think that part is just implicit in their question.
>> 
>> Bill
>> 
>>