[Harp-L] What key is the band in?

[Michael Rubin]

A chromatic harmonica has every note a keyboard has.  The C and the B harp
also has every note without bending by playing the do re mi fa so la ti do
scale starting on 4 blow on each harp.

Learn the names of the notes in either the chromatic or these two harps.
Play one note at a time as the band plays the song.  Decide if any note
sounds like it could possibly be the key.  Narrow 12 notes down to 6.  Then
take two notes of the six and fight to the finish.  There can only be one
note between them.  Then, take the victor of that battle and pit it against
another of the six notes.  Battle all the notes until there is only one
note to rule them all!

For example, after playing all 12 notes,  C, D, Eb, G, A and Bb are
possible key notes.

Now play C and D.  Which sounds better?  C!  Goodbye D, better luck next
time.

Now C against Eb.  Eb wins!

Eb against G.  Eb holds strong!

Eb against A.  Nope.  Definitely A.  You had a good run, Eb.

A against Bb.

It's A!

Another method is ear training.  Buy a keyboard.  Learn arpeggios and sing
them in all their voicings in every key using either scale numbers or
solfege.  Sing root notes to every other scale tones higher and lower.

I do not have perfect pitch my my relative pitch is generally at the place
where if I play one note,  I know the key in relation to it.
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Wed, Nov 2, 2016 at 1:49 AM, Robert Hale <robert at xxxxx> wrote:

> two tips
>
>    1. learn to visually recognize some guitar chords
>    2. quietly toot off-mic til you find the key
>
> Robert Hale
> Serious Honkage in Arizona
> youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
> DUKEofWAIL.com
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 6:46 PM, Mike Schmitt <mike at xxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > Are there any tips to figure out what key the guitar player is in? It
> seems
> > like who ever starts the song does not share it and by the time I ask the
> > song has already started. Maybe it's just an experience thing?
> >
> >
> >
> > White Rock Lake Real Estate, LLC
> >
> > Mike Schmitt
> >
> > 214-676-4326 Call or Text
> >
> > 866-987-5253  Toll free
> >
> > Visit our web site at:
> >
> > Http://www.WhiteRockLakeProperties.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
>
> Robert Hale is the DUKE of WAIL
> *________________________*
>
> *Music Lessons for Adults and Children *
> Harmonica, Steel Guitar, Dobro, Piano Tuner
> *Distance Learning via Webcam*
> DUKEofWAIL.com <http://www.dukeofwail.com/>
> *480-720-8897*
>
> <http://www.youtube.com/dukeofwail#p/u/12/jfCJCe_hUMY> Take a Free Lesson
> <http://www.youtube.com/dukeofwail#p/u/12/jfCJCe_hUMY>   *
> <http://www.facebook.com/DUKEofWAIL> *Follow me
> <http://www.facebook.com/DUKEofWAIL>
>