Re: [Harp-L] Just what exactly is 'key'?

[sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi SmoeJoe

What if you already speak the language and you see it's ambiguity causing
miscommunication and anxiety?

Cheers!

>
> On May 8, 2011, at 1:11 PM, sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>> Here's another Wikipedia page:
>>
>>  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_%28music%29
>
>>  So in jazz this definition would not assign a key or at least a single
>> key to most
>> jazz tunes. Yet jazz players often do speak of a single key associated
>> with a tune.
>>
>> Cheers1
>>
>
> I think I remember seeing somewhere, that if anyone thought something was
> amiss on Wikipedia, that they were permitted to write in and explain why
> they thought the script was not exactly correct. To this end, I have
> always viewed it with a jaundiced eye.  ;)
>
> Hanging around with musicians brings an immediate feeling that they are
> speaking a somewhat different language than the general population. Now it
> has always been my feeling that when confronted with a different language,
> it was worth the effort to try and communicate with those whom spoke it. I
> always considered myself the 'guest' and as such, it was incumbent on ME
> to make this effort.
>
> Like a recent cruise to the Caribbean. In Santo Domingo I had a cabbie who
> spoke almost no English. But using broken Spanish and a smattering of
> Italian, I was able to express myself just fine. As so was he. So, in
> going to a musical function and getting up there with musicians, the same
> thing applies. Things like: "Where is the bathroom". "Where can I get some
> food". "Where is the bus to Zamboanga?". Become things like: "What is the
> key". "Major or minor". "Beguine, Samba, Tango?".
>
> In other words, if you can't speak nor understand any of the language, you
> have no business up there on the stand. Sorry if this sounds brutal. It's
> like boot camp. They try their best to prepare you for combat, but there's
> nothing like real combat. Where everything has to be adjusted. All the
> time.
>
> Tonight is Mother's day. But Mama Cass (the live one), aka Cassie Mae
> (baby won't you please come home), has given me permission to go to the
> supper club. HER reasoning: "I'm not your mother". lol I offered to buy
> her dinner, but being a poor girl from the coal fields of West Virginia,
> she doesn't like fancy expemsive food. And sitting there is not her bag of
> potatoes and she gets aggravated when the people make a lot of noise and
> talk boistrously  when SHE feels they should show some respect and listen
> to the musicians...who put in so many years practicing their craft for the
> selfless enjoyment of others.
>
> The first number I will call will probably be 'Petite Fleur' in Bb. I will
> point 2 fingers DOWN towards the floor. That will indicate the key. Now
> the drummer and piano player already should know this tune, so tempo is
> not an issue. If anyone wants to play on the tune, they should have at
> least a quasi-knowledge of the tune. Another tune might be "Song for my
> Father' in Fminor. I will point 4 fingers at the floor. Now this would
> usually indicate 4 flats or Ab. But not in this case. As Fm is relative to
> Ab. The band should already know this. And if they don't..they should ask.
> I surely won't think less of them. In fact, it could avoid a train wreck.
> :)
>
> So why, you may ask, don't i just point ONE finger at the floor to
> indicate F? Be-caaaaaaaause it ain't done that way. Thems the rules.
> Petite Fleur will be on a flute, so if I had a chart in front of me (which
> I won't), IT would be written Bb as my flute is a C. If I were using my
> clarinet (or trumpet), the chart would be written in C as they are already
> TUNED to Bb. This is why key is important. Key is everything. That's why
> it's called the key. It's an opener. In Polish it's Krutche, In Italian
> Ciave.
>
> smokey joe & the cafe s