Klarinet Archive - Posting 000561.txt from 1995/05

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Weird keys
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:41:43 -0400

I have been mystified by this thread. What is a "weird" key? Why is one
key more weird than another? Is it more difficult to play the note C# if
it is scale step three of the key of A Major, or to play Db when it is
the fourth scale step of the key of Ab? Why?

Professional musicians should be able to perform with facility in every key.

A story about Charlie "Yardbird" Parker may be in order. He related that
when he first tried to play jazz, he knew only a couple of tunes, and he
could play each one only in the key of F Major (D Major on his alto
saxophone). He was heavily criticized by the musicians with whom he
first tried to perform, who were playing in Db at the time, and one of
them tried to explain to him about different keys. He apparently
misunderstood, and thought that he was being told that he had to be able
to play everything which he knew in EVERY key. So, he started
practicing the pieces he knew and others in all keys. That was part of
the source of his phenomenal technique and aural understanding. Since
that time, jazz musicians have accepted the idea that any tune should be
able of being performed in any key whatsoever. That is a good idea for
any musician who wants to be thought of as fully capable of meeting any
musical challenge which may be encountered.

I always studiously avoid indicating to a student that one key is in any
way out of the ordinary when compared to another.

Edwin Lacy
el2@-----.edu