[Dixielandjazz] What a difference a key makes

[Steve Barbone]

"Edgerton, Paul A" <paul.edgerton at eds.com> quoted
 
> Steve Barbone wrote:
>> Are 6 flats the ultimate? Heck no, The key of Cb has 7
>> flats. Take Janie's six flat list and add a Fb to it.
> 
>> You can also play in 7 Sharps if you want. Key of C#.
>> Now this should be a really bright key.
>> (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)
> 
>> Anybody play in those keys?
> 
And then Paul wrote (polite snip)

> Sure, Steve, lots of people play in those keys, but that's not what most
> of us would call them.  C# would have 7 sharps but Db as only 5 flats.
> Most would prefer the latter.  Cb would have 7 flats but B only has 5
> sharps.  Same deal.
> 
> The only grey area is F#, with 6 sharps as compared to Gb, which would
> be 6 flats.  Most published music would put it in F#, but sometimes (for
> horn players) it might be easier to think of that as Gb.  Whatever.
> 
> The difference between Cb and B might have been of some importance
> before the adoption of equal-temperament,  but no longer.

Well maybe, maybe not depending upon whom you ask. Some folks (probably not
Bill Gunter. :-) VBG) will tell you that there is a difference between a Cb
and B natural. Horn players especially and they make up half, or more of an
average Dixieland Band.

And that's another question. Just what is the difference between a Cb and a
B natural to those that hear the difference?

Why, for example, did Horace Silver who played a tempered instrument (piano)
write some of his compositions in Gb, rather than F#? To please the horn
players in his quintet or because the tune might sound slightly different.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone