Vision Music

corky4strings · Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 109 Location: plain, pa.

i don't know how true this is but years ago one of my teachers told me there's a very good chance that if a song has horns in it the key of the song is usually F or B flat. suppose to be the easiest keys for horn players??
_________________
corky

let your fingers do the walking i do

Larry_DC · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 207

Don't know for sure, but a french horn player once told me that Eb is very comfortable for trumpet.

nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

Horns are transposing instruments. When playing an instrument that is in b-flat (for example, trumpet or clarinet), if you play a note that is written as a "C," a b-flat will sound. That means that you have to write the note out a major second higher for these instruments.

For this reason, the "easy" keys (keys without a lot of flats and sharps), in sound are flat keys on these instruments.

Take for example a tune in C major (the people's key!). If I write a diatonic C major melody, it will sound like a B-flat major melody if a trumpet plays it literally (e.g., plays the notes literally as they are on the score without transposing).

From this, you can see that the easy key signatures sound as flat keys:

For a B-flat instrument (think Miles!)
No flats or sharps is WRITTEN as C but SOUNDS as Bb
One sharp is WRITTEN as G, but SOUNDS as F
One flat is WRITTEN as F, but SOUNDS as E-flat
Two sharps is WRITTEN as D, but SOUNDS as C
Two flat is WRITTEN as B-flat, but SOUNDS as A-flat

So the moral to this story is that if you want to be popular with horn players, learn to play in flat keys.

It's no coincidence that trumpet players like the keys (sounds) of C, F, B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat. They're easier.

Hope that helps.

nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

Horns are transposing instruments. When playing an instrument that is in b-flat (for example, trumpet or clarinet), if you play a note that is written as a "C," a b-flat will sound. That means that you have to write the note out a major second higher for these instruments.

For this reason, the "easy" keys (keys without a lot of flats and sharps), in sound are flat keys on these instruments.

Take for example a tune in C major (the people's key!). If I write a diatonic C major melody, it will sound like a B-flat major melody if a trumpet plays it literally (e.g., plays the notes literally as they are on the score without transposing).

From this, you can see that the easy key signatures sound as flat keys:

For a B-flat instrument (think Miles!)
No flats or sharps is WRITTEN as C but SOUNDS as Bb
One sharp is WRITTEN as G, but SOUNDS as F
One flat is WRITTEN as F, but SOUNDS as E-flat
Two sharps is WRITTEN as D, but SOUNDS as C
Two flat is WRITTEN as B-flat, but SOUNDS as A-flat

So the moral to this story is that if you want to be popular with horn players, learn to play in flat keys.

It's no coincidence that trumpet players like the keys (sounds) of C, F, B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat. They're easier.

Hope that helps.

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

I really like B flat ,when playing blues...It just sounds right.I use G and E and A ,quite a bit ,too.Great blues sounds.Playing in seventh is cool ,too.
_________________
What don't kill you makes you stronger

nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

Yes. I prefer Bb and C for blues. I'm not crazy about F, because my "home town" licks don't work at the first fret, but I'm working on being able to play better in F. BTW, I find keyboard players call out blues in G, because it fits well on the white keys.

kbgtr001 · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 122

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

Kb, I hear you,C has that sweet sound ,too.Plus all the blues note changes are there for the taking.A real slow blues is fun in G for me.B flat and C are more swing or poping for me.E is more phraseing and riffs.But as you know ,it can all be done in every key,just some are sweeter then others.I also find if I brake a song down ,chords,notes,and bass.Play the song each way ,then I can mix it up ,a little of this and a little of that.
_________________
What don't kill you makes you stronger

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

Right now I am working on ...I'm the man that loves you...this is a little tricky blues song.Chord wise it is simple,but the rhythm is a little tricky.
_________________
What don't kill you makes you stronger

nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

Not sure if I sense different keys as having different feelings (other than the great Spinal Tap joke). I just find some easier than others to play in.

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

I can not really discribe the feeling for different keys...just G has a deeper moan or depressed or sexy feeling and say B flat has a higher ,she done left me ,cheating,or shake your money maker feeling.To me ....JMO There is no rule for my thoughts,just seems to feel that way to me.
_________________
What don't kill you makes you stronger

nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

Dean, Do you have perfect pitch?

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

corky4strings · Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 109 Location: plain, pa.

hey thanks for replying. just got back to the computor. my dad fell broke his hip then he got real sick and after almost 2 months he's home and doing better. so now i have time to do what i like play.
_________________
corky

let your fingers do the walking i do

Dean · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 287 Location: California

Corky ,I just relized I was not logged in ...dud ...just thought there was a dry spell.haha Hope your dad is ok!!! Back on that pitch question...my wife and I were talking the other day ,and I hear sounds she does not .The clock, the buzz of a raido,when I slide my finger to a note ,I can hear it as I hit it,and before I go past it.
_________________
What don't kill you makes you stronger