Hi ted,

Hope you're keeping well.

I'm amazed that nobody has yet mentioned the 'right hand'. ! - Having regard to the fact that we're talking here about 'EAR-PLAYING' (without the use of any written music), any theories expounded about improvising from one key to another, must surely include what you do with your right hand. ?

The chord-work one uses to travel from one key to another, will always be dependent upon the right hand improvisation. And because each one of us will use different chord-work, the right hand improvisation will be of paramount importance.

All of which means - that ear players will differ vastly in their actual keyboard or pianistic playing skills, and as such, play in different keys anyway. Resulting in the fact, that because of varying playing skills, no two players will travel the same route. - Someone who can only play in the keys of say C and F (and there are many thus inclined), will quickly learn a route from C to F, and possibly back again. But the route taken, and possibly very regularly used, will be totally different to the route taken by someone who can, and does, play in 8/9 different keys.

So, there aren't really any golden rules for key-changing. It's all a matter of - what keys you're travelling from/to - How many chords you want to use to get there - And what you do with your right hand.

My best wishes to Annie.

Colin.