Question about Keys

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hueny21
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Question about Keys

Unread post by hueny21 » Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:37 pm

I started playing in January, and I feel like I've made significant progress in just a short time. However, I have absolutely no formal musical training and know nothing about music theory. What does it matter what key a song is in? I know this sounds like a stupid question, but it has been bugging me for a while. Thanks.

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Pickles
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Unread post by Pickles » Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:43 pm

keys are guidelines to theoretical music. it can help with what chords you can put in, solos/riffs you can play over it, and also how to switch the chords to have a different sound but still have the same feel to it.
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MWR
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Unread post by MWR » Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:15 pm

Keys are more about pitch. Every single key is exactly the same in relation to one anther. Depending on what instrument you play and more specificaly what that instrument is tuned to certian keys will be easier than others. Basically every wind instrument will have several different keys. Lika a Soprano Sax in B Flat or an Alto Sax in E Flat.
The guitar and piano are very easy to change keys with because you basically just have to slide up or down.
You hear about key changes a lot when talking about vocals. I can't sing as high as Mariah Carey so if I wanted to sing the soundtrack from Glitter I would have to transpose (change) keys to a better suited range. The notes in RELATION to eachother stay the same but the pitch changes.
Check out the Various Gutiar Related Sites I posted below. They will help.

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DMBFan63
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Unread post by DMBFan63 » Thu Apr 08, 2004 6:50 pm

MWR wrote:I can't sing as high as Mariah Carey so if I wanted to sing the soundtrack from Glitter I would have to transpose (change) keys to a better suited range.


lol, i found that really funny.. nice explaination, by the way
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