Re: [Harp-L] How to tell the key of any song or music

[Dave Land <land@xxxxxxx>]

Folks,

To all who suggested "just ask", that's by far the easiest way to do it, of course, if you're in a position to do so.

Of course, they'll modulate up a step just before the solo, but that's not their problem, is it? ;-)

Dave

On May 5, 2011, at 10:31 AM, Richard Hunter wrote:

> Dave Land wrote:
> <As you note with your deft humor, in a live performance situation,
> <this business of figuring out the key is something we harpists need to
> <do right quick, before we make a hash of our fellow players' fine work.
> 
> The easiest and fastest way to figure out the key is to ask the guitarist or bass player what the key is.
> 
> that's what I do.
> 
> If they get it wrong, THEN I go to Plan B, which is to listen hard and compare to whatever harmonica I have in my hand.
> 
> But usually the guitarist or bass player knows the key.  Just don't let them tell you what the key would be if you were playing in 2nd position on a standard tuned harp--usually in that case they'll say something like "use an A harp."  It's up to me, not some half-aware guitarist, what harp I use to play in a given key.  You can stop a guy like that in his tracks by asking "is that first, 2nd, or 3rd position?"
> 
> Thanks, Richard Hunter
> 
> regards, RH
> 
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