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

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Of the third important category as stated below, I believe you may be the only one in this sub group. As a matter of fact, having been involved in music for 40 years, including college for musical studies - both classical and jazz - extensive gigging and an active member and production staffer of the International Association of Jazz Education, I've never run into anyone who has ever had a problem understanding "key" as is being taught and used as is..


I'm willing to grow and learn, however. Are there more out there like you? If so, let the voices ring and I will gladly change my opinion regarding this matter.


Regards!


-----Original Message-----
From: sheltraw <sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, May 9, 2011 2:13 pm
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Just what exactly is 'key'?


Hi doug

There is yet a third important category: Those who are aware of the many
definitions of "key" and find them ambiguous and of little utility.

I think that it is important for the beginner to understand this and I
think that it gets increasingly more important as one advances. I have
heard many folks (not necessarily on Harp-L) empower ambiguous musical
definitions of "key" with utility the definitions do not possess.

PS: When I wrote previously that "I don't have a definition for the term."
I should have been a bit more precise. I should have written that I
do not have a musical definition for the term. The only definition of
"key" that I see of a benefit is that used in standard notation of music.
But that definition applies to a notational rather than musical convention.

PS PS: What key would you (or anyone else) assign Coltrane's "Impressions"?

Cheers!