[Dixielandjazz] Subject: Re: Keys?

[Bill Gunter]

Hi all,

Pianoman Dan Spink writes:

>. . . some keys have a slightly difference tone or resonance than  others. 
>All
>piano players know that the sharp keys are more brilliant, the  key of C is
>incredibly dull, whereas the key of Db . . . is  magnificently rich 
>harmonically.

Db - C#,  whatever - no difference on the piano. All flat keys (Ab, Bb, Db, 
Eb, etc.) are the same as the sharp keys (G#, B, C#, D#, etc.).

But no matter, Dan said something that I can't grasp - "key of Db . . . is  
magnificently rich harmonically" - this begs my question - "What is the 
difference in a arpeggio played on the piano in the key of C as opposed to 
the identical arpeggio played on the piano in the key of Db ?" In what way 
is it more "magnificently rich harmonically?"

Perhaps it's like looking at a Jackson Pollock painting. Some see a rich 
tapestry of color and pattern which inspires an emotional response. Others 
merely see dribbled squiggly lines and splats which look random and inspire 
nothing more than "Huh?"

Or maybe it's like listening to John Cage's 4'33" - some hear beauty (or 
feel some emotional response) while other hear squat!

Respectfully submitted,

Bill "it's a wonderful world, full of strange and amazing things" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com

ps - Edgerton, Williams - can you guys weigh in on this?




>From: DWSI at aol.com
>To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Subject: Re:  Keys?
>Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:00:18 EDT
>
>
>It was J.S. Bach who developed the modern keyboard pitches--the well
>tempered clavichord. He made the distance from between each half-step the  
>same for
>all the notes. But you can't really make them all exactly  the same. That's 
>why
>some keys have a slightly difference tone or resonance than  others. All
>piano players know that the sharp keys are more brilliant, the  key of C is
>incredibly dull, whereas the key of Db, (one half-step up), is  
>magnificently rich
>harmonically. I knew a piano man who played everything in Db  for this 
>reason.
>
>Dan (backup piano) Spink
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