Exactly Ian .....the end result in what the audience hears is all that matters....thanx for the link.

Ian and DNJ: an important point I'd like to make when relying on the 'transpose button' to transpose more than 3 semi tones (> minor 3rd) away from the key you're actually playing in, is that it can dramatically alter (often negatively) the sound of your chords played & heard live), because when a chord played is voiced for the lower part of the keyboard, when transposed up/down too far, it can sound terrible , and the reason keyboard players typically play different chord voicings dependent on the key of a song,or the keyboard octave range the chords are being played. How a chord sounds has a lot to do with the harmonic overtone series, but that's another story.

Scott now problems here I find you can go down to -7 with no problems....going up is different +3 or +4 tops on a Yamaha arranger. tricks of the trade compensate for all the rest..

No transposer for me...keeps your chops sharp!


R.

Hi Scott,

Good points.

I rarely use a left hand voice when in arranger mode...sometimes I might use a strings or organ voice, and no matter what key I'm in, I usually end up playing rootless voicings...probably from all those years of playing Hammond and Electone organs, especially when using bass pedals.

As far as the transposer...I'm a very lazy guy...my technique is pretty good, and I play often enough in different keys to keep sharp. But, ultimately, I'm lazy, and I like playing in certain keys, especially for soloing, so I use the transposer quite a bit.

The "keyboard capo" I call it.

One of the best features ever added, in my opinion.

Ian the Indolent

Use the transpose and keep your vocal chops sharp.

Gary

And save your vocal chords!

So true--so true! You would be amazed at the number of singers that sing well above their range because they cannot play a song in any key other than what it was written in. Consequently, they are straining to hit those higher notes, and when they cannot they tend to scream, while at the same time pull the mic away so no one will hear the God awful sounds they just emitted.

I don't recall who made the statement but it was someone on the Synthzone that said: "Never play a song you intend to sing in a key that is outside your Singing Comfort Zone." Made perfectly good sense to me.

Cheers,

Gary

Yep, I do remember those tediously challenging music class assignments of having to learn & play an assigned tune in all 12 keys plus turnin' in papers with them fully transcribed and handwritten in 12 keys too. It's a relief not to have to go thru that now. Those were the days no longer. And because in addition to the most popular guitar sharp keys (E,A,D,G), I especially enjoy working with horn players, so over the years have developed a fondness for their favored flat keys (F, Bb, Eb and Ab) and which seem to more often than not, best suit my voice as well. In addition to 'C', having these 8 keys under your belt will serve you well both on and off the bandstand. Keep in mind that musicians (esp horn players) without a convenient automated transpose option (transpose button or guitar capo) can't easily transpose on the fly to a key like C# or F# and won't appreciate a singer or piano player coming on stage and calling out "Crazy" in C#. If I'm working with a pick up band, I've got enough latitude in my singing to call the tune in C or D instead, and believe me, the band will certainly appreciate that and calling you back to sing/play with them again more too.

What I meant to say is, I play the tune in the key it was written in if I am sight reading it. If I'm going to sing it., I learn it in the proper key. I don't use the transpose button for any performances.

R.