[Dixielandjazz] Guitar Keys
Robert S. Ringwald
robert at ringwald.com
Sun Feb 11 20:29:03 PST 2007
Kris wrote:
>I wish we had a Dixieland, Jazz or Blues band here.
> Unfortunately, I live on the Redneck Riviera, so I just adjusted, expanded
> and learned to play in "those keys" - even if it is a sin.
>
(snip)
Kris, I think someone was just joshing you a bit when he told you not to
play in those keys.
It is always to your benefit to be able to play in all keys.
I play a lot of cocktail hour and dinner (background) music gigs. It is
incredibly boring work. To break the monotony, I sometimes play in odd keys
such as F sharp, B, E, A, D, etc.
Believe it or not, this sometimes comes in very handy.
here are two examples:
1. This has happened with several amateur singers. We will determine her
key. I give an intro & wham! she starts off in another key, usually one of
the ones that we are not used to playing in. No problem, I just quickly
change to her key & finish the tune.
2. One time I showed up on a gig where the piano was a half tone flat. The
band leader was beside himself.
I said, "No problem." I played the whole night a half tone sharp from the
band so that my keys matched the key that the band was playing in. If they
were in F, I played in F sharp.
If they were in Eb, I played in E. If they were in Bb, I played in B, etc.
--Bob (Who moved the piano?) Ringwald
More information about the Dixielandjazz
mailing list