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

[Alfred Barten <vr1139@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have less experience with this than most, especially since I'm a
saxophonist who dabbles with harmonica. Still, the idea of jamming and
rolling with whatever "punches" are thrown by miscommunication, etc. is
interesting. I play in community bands and in a sax trio. Whatever we do is
scripted and rehearsed. When it comes to "key" we have to ask whether it's
concert pitch or the pitch of a particular band instrument. E.g., alto adds
3 sharps to concert pitch; tenor adds 2 sharps. French horn is something
else. Ain't life great??

I know - this is a little off topic. Sorry about that. I just thought it was
interesting.

-- Al

-------------------
Alfred Barten
RETIRED ... *and all that jazz!*



On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 1:31 PM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>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
>
> author, "Jazz Harp"
> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
> Myspace http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
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>