RE: [Harp-L] Key of song from Guitar Chords

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

Live: I like to hear things like "Texas Shuffle, key of <fill in the blank>, turn around, start on the 5. a1 - a2 - a1 2 3 4
As far as endings go...try ending on a 4 (unresolved)...it's fun
Studio: Key signatures and stuff are great but in my world, nobody ever hands me a lead sheet for harmonica. Give me a number chart, a bit of input on the arrangement, run the tracks a time or two, and I am good to go. I usually play where I think harp 'fits' and let the engineer edit out what they dont want to keep. 
throw da rule book out da window dontcha know...IMHO, that's when creativity begins. However, I do recommend actually learning "the rules" before you toss them. Did that make sense?:DBW

> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Key of song from Guitar Chords
> From: jevern@xxxxxxx
> Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:58:09 -0700
> To: bkumpe@xxxxxxx
> CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> The last note or chord of a song is a much more reliable rule for finding the key.  Many songs start on other chords or notes.  I would not call the first note or chord a rule at all.  Of course the best rule is to look at the key signature.  You have to look for flatted thirds or minor chords to identify minor keys.  
> 
> Vern
> 
> On Mar 17, 2012, at 5:49 AM, Bill Kumpe wrote:
> 
> > The "first chord key of song rule" only works with simpler numbers like
> > 1-4-5 (three chord) blues, rock or country.  If it were me, and I was going
> > to play with this guy regularly and he was going to play the number
> > regularly, I would bring along a small digital recorder, sit the number out,
> > record it, and then go home and work out harp accompaniment.   
> > 
> > Bill Kumpe
> > Tulsa, OK
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
>