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

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

Rick-
 
IMHO, that's the way it should be in jams or in a case where someone is sitting in. It's just good stage manners.
 
However, I hate it when the guitar player says "grab your D harp". I usually assume that the song is in the key of D when that happens. I have had to have 'that talk' with many a guitar player.
 
If I dont know the key, I pick up a C harp and use it like a pitch pipe.
 
Or, if I'm sittting in as a guest I usually just politely ask the musician next to me to give me the key. Some times that works out ok but some times not. I guess it depends a lot on personalities, egos and/or the musician is as lost as I am.
 
Fortunately, I play guitar and if I can see the guitar player's guitar neck I can usually pick it right up if needs be.
 
BW
 
> From: rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 15:48:13 +1000
> To: davidnaiditch@xxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] How to tell the key of any song or music
> CC: 
> 
> I used to play with an old country style picker/singer, who, when asked the key, would always say "Outta G" or "Outta C" as the case might be, as opposed to "In G" or "In C". I always thought it made good sense, particularly in the case of tunes that change keys, like 'Sweet Georgia".
> RD
> 
> >>> David Naiditch <davidnaiditch@xxxxxxxxxxx> 5/05/2011 14:40 >>>
> Figuring out keys can get tricky because the first chord of the melody isn't always the same as the key. (Although as Garry pointed out, the last chord is more likely to be.) I recently had the unfortunate experience of being invited on stage to play Sweet Georgia Brown and Caravan. They asked me what key I'd like to play Sweet Georgia Brown. When I said G, the band leader immediately kicked it off in Bb. It took few measures before I figured out why I was having trouble. The band leader mistakenly thought that the first chord fitting the melody indicated the key, whereas the melody begins on the VI chord. When he announced Caravan in the key of B, I was very suspicious. I correctly assumed he meant E because the tune begins on the V chord. So even when a key is announced, be on your guard.
> 
> - David Naiditch
> www.davidnaiditch.com
> 
>