To be able to play songs in any key spontaneously is a great skill to acquire. This is especially useful when one of your 'audience' wanted to sing a certain song or when you're jamming in a group.

However, whenever there is a request to play a song, I normally would use the C, F or G major scale and the related chords to start with. This is because I am familiar with the chords harmony and able to fit them in nicely with the melody (Eg. when to use Fm on G bass, Dm-5 on A flat bass etc.). I will try to use the original key of the requested song if I am familiar or had played it before.

Although I could play a song in other keys, often I had to pause in between to get the right chords to fit in and not as spontaneous as using C, F or G keys. I have friends who could use E flat, A flat etc spontaneously.

I curious to know how many keys do you all master under your fingers? Or, what are the common / must-know keys to be able to cover any song requests?

A couple of points here . . .

1. I'm not overly keen about letting someone from the audience get up and sing because, usually in relation to the amount of beer consumed, the singer doesn't even start in the same key (and will probably change key 4 times along the way), no matter how many times you give him the obvious lead-in to the tune, and

2. It gives all his pals just the impetus they need to want to try their hand as well, and there's your presentation ruined.

I know it's all about giving your audience a good time and all that, but there are limits.

Gotta' agree with Big Red--Over the years you learn some hard lessons--especially with drunks that think they can sing.

Rule #1. Never, never, never let allow someone to come up and sing--drunk or somewhat sober--no matter how good they look. You're only asking for trouble.

Rule #2. See rule #1.

Cheers,

Gary

I know 2 great pianists that can transpose while reading a music sheet in real time to any key. I become really impressed when i see them playing that way.
I can easily transpose songs I had already memorized to every natural key but I find a little harder transposing especially to D flat, and G flat. Overall I'm quite confortable with the rest.

I already played with with that kind of "beer singers" having to transpose 3 or 4 times during a song.

Sometimes it's easier if you hear the "beer singer", quickly find the close key you can play and use the tranpose function of your keyboard, of course.

If you sound bad, because the key changes of the singer, sometimes they will think you're a bad musician!!! Often the crowd thinks you have to play everything in every key. For them it's just "playing".

Luis Santos

I can play in several keys, but many times I use the transpose button because it's easier to do in more familiar keys.
DonM

As Don M I can play in several keys but when I use the transpose I must be near the original key. I cannot transpose +5 and play on C key while I listen a F ( May be a conflict between fingers, eyes and ears).
Reading parts, no problems.
Chico

The random singer can be a dangerous beast but sometimes its the only thing to do!

I have to transpose "in my head" because I play manual bass pedals which don't trasponse.

The relative key is not usually a problem; I seem to learn songs "serially" so once the key is established the rest of the song is played automatically; I appear to remember the chord intervals as the song progresses!

Nevertheless it is strange how you usually end up in Db... or F# Minor!

I, like Don prefer to use the transpose button, if and when I do bring someone up.
As far as that goes, they only get invited up, IF I know them well and only after I've spoken with them and determined that they're okay to do so.
..L

[This message has been edited by Leon (edited 03-05-2003).]

Before you change key, take lead position and make sure the singer has to follow you instead of accompanying him/her!

WRONG ! You MUST follow the singer.
Always. Always. Always.
If you let them sing ... it HAS to be in their comfort level .... they have no transpose button.
I don't encourage "amature hour" but if I DO invite someone to sit in .... it's THEIR spotlight. Period. They get the conch.

I love Conch too, especially in a chowder with a little sherry !!

Thank you so much for everyone's input. For me, if someone were to sing along, I would usually follow the singer and observe his/her mood cues. This will allow me to play the appropriate accomp. And I only do this kind of invitation on a case to case basis only. Looks like the transpose function on my keyboard has greater importance now.

The only problem now would be when I am playing on an acoustic piano...

If a "guest singer" doesn't know their key...I have them sing to me off mic. I find their key and then bump it up 2 or 3 half steps. What they sing off mic is ALWAYS lower then what feels right to them when they start to project for the audience.

It works 90% of the time.

Eddie

Interesting topic. Though I was forced (prior piano schooling) to learn to play a song in ALL keys, I've found certain keys (for keyboard players) are easier to play in (fit the hand more naturally) than others.

In addition to C & G, I prefer playing in the flat keys: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and even Db (C#), and Gb (F#) over the following sharp keys, like: E, A, & B.

The keys which I tend to play in most (as well as feel the most comfortable playing in), perhaps because (coincidently?) these keys seem to most often be the best keys for me vocally as well, are: Eb, Bb, F, C, and G.

Curios to hear from others on what your favorite prefered keys are. Btw: Contrary to popular belief , did you know that C is not the most natural (ergonimic to the shape of your hand) key to play in.

Scott

Apart from C, F & G keys (being the easiest lot) my other preferred keys would be Eb. Eb is comfortable on the fingers to play in and I could go all over the keyboard with a good mixture of white and black keys - makes impressive showing to anyone looking on!

Scott,
I'm interested to know more about C key being the un-ergonomic key to play in. Is it because C key tend to 'force' all fingers on equal contour levels as compared to other flat keys which provides natural contour levels?

How interesting to find someone else with the conviction that some keys suit individual hands better than others. I've been laughed at for years because I only play in the dreaded 5 sharps. B. What a god-send the transpose button is ! Can I also say what a pleasure it is to read the posts on this forum. I have learnt so much.
Thanks to all.
Vic

------------------
vic

1) Thou shalt not use the transpose button

2) thou shalt learn all keys (minor and major)

3) thou shalt practice the hard keys

4) thou shalt learn the chords in all keys

5) thou shalt be able to play any from from any key even if the notes are on one key.


Seriously people, I am pianist. And it is not that I have to play songs with random keys. But so many times I have to accompany singers with songs I have never heard before. Improvisations is part of my skill.

I am learning piano accompaniment from this course http://www.pianobyear.com/index.htm and they suggest playing each lesson in C,G,F,Eb,Bb, and D. Looks quite similar to Scott's frequently used keys. I tend to favour G. I love th Bm chord.
Starkeeper

I'm not sure why, but my favorite key (most comfortable) is Bb major/G minor. It just feels right.

Since it is the easiest for me I use the transpose key. For the majority of songs I can transpose to the popular keys mentioned above on the fly. If I play by ear I can usually do most any key for backup using mostly the I, IV and V7 combination to cover most singers.
Recently I was backing up a singer and needed to change tempo (they were singing show tunes) while they held certain notes and sped through others. I was using the styles and playing along but they don't change tempo mid song easily (I'm on a PSR2000).
If I want to accompany someone like that is it best to just set it as piano or strings or something and forget about the drum and base keeping rhythm?

- Brian

Unless I know the singer ..... I won't let them screw up the song, if they have bad timing.

Uncle Dave,

So many people sing with very bad timing. It is very frustrating to the musician. What do you exactly?

I play straight piano .... in THEIR tempo. Rubato, or whatever ! That makes them look better than if they get confused, and ultimatly it's ME that will look bad if they get off time with the drums. I don't take the risk. I'm still being paid to provide entertainment ..... not ego stroking. I try to make them look good ............ sometimes it's impossible !

Yep, I agree with UD.....just solo piano accompiament. This way you can play & control whatever comes along in the way of wanabe singers, straight or drunk! Unless you KNOW the person and they can follow the auto rhythm.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 03-08-2003).]