Klarinet Archive - Posting 000563.txt from 1995/05

From: Helen Emerson <helen.emerson@-----.NZ>
Subj: key characteristics
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 12:04:35 -0400

Dan wrote; 17/5, concerning wierd keys

"No one ever seemed to realize that keys have character. Pieces in
A major are very active purely because A major is an active key. (I
don't want to say "bright" but that is the word usually employed
and not "active.")"

Why? Why is it that A major is a "bright" key? I am not necessarily disagreeing,
but why is it that we associate certain keys with certain characteristics?

This reminds me of the comments I loath most in marking first year University
music analysis.....for example..."the music is angry because it is in C minor"
!! :-)

Helen

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Helen Emerson *
* Department of Music *
* University of Otago *
* New Zealand *
* helen.emerson@-----.nz *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *