[Dixielandjazz] What key is that band playing in?

[david richoux]

If you watch very carefully you will see a beer in most tuba player's 
left hand ;-)

Actually, if you watch the leader sometimes he/she will make secret 
hand signals that give away the key (and warn for modulations) - 1 
finger down is F, 2 is Bb, 3 is Eb, 4 is Ab and fingers up (usually) 
indicate the sharp keys in a similar fashion. I guess C would be no 
fingers but I have not actually seen that one...

Dave Richoux

On Jan 9, 2004, at 3:08 PM, Bill Gunter wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Pat Cooke wrote:
>
>>     When I'm listening to a band, I sometimes wonder what key they are
>> playing in.  Not having perfect pitch, I can usually tell what key a 
>> band is
>> playing in by watching either the bass player's left hand, or 
>> sometimes the
>> trumpet player's fingers.
>
> I found that an interesting observation. I can usually figure out the 
> key by watching the guitar/banjo players left hand (assuming he's 
> right handed).  Not that knowing the key is all that important to the 
> casual listener . . . If I'm in the band (and playing something other 
> than washboard/drums) the leader usually announces the key.