When in a session the lead player launches off into a mad fast reel and shouts to me "Its in A!" if I don't know the tune, how does this help me as a beginer?
If you're anything else, it lets you know which notes are sharped and which are natural. I'm sure that's clear as mud, but I have to run to rehearsal right now. If someone doesn't get back to you (Will?) then I'll write more later!
So Becky, what instrument *do* you play? That will shape any answer we can give here.
Shouting out the key or mode is usually done just to help the backers--guitar, piano, bouzouki, etc.
If you play a melody instrument, knowing the key helps some, but not much, especially in Irish music. Nine times out of 10, the shouted-out key (or mode) is wrong anyway. And it's kinda like telling a mushroom picker that some of the white ones are edible--just enough information to lead to real trouble.
If you're trying to pick up tunes by ear on the fly, you're better off starting at a slow session, where the tunes are played half-speed or slower, over and over, and someone usually gives a few hints along the way (like what the first note is) or breaks the tune down into shorter phrases until people get it all put together. Or some lessons, or at least sitting down with an experienced player and picking her/his brains.
At typical session speed, you have to have your chops all polished and in a row to be able to pick up tunes as they come at you.
What key? "A"
What key? "A"
When in a session the lead player launches off into a mad fast reel and shouts to me "Its in A!" if I don't know the tune, how does this help me as a beginer?
Becky
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Becky
Re: What key?
Depends what instrument you play. If you play guitar then it's enormously helpful.
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Dow
Re: What key?
If you're anything else, it lets you know which notes are sharped and which are natural. I'm sure that's clear as mud, but I have to run to rehearsal right now. If someone doesn't get back to you (Will?) then I'll write more later!
Zina
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: What key?
You'll know that there's a good chance that the first (and possibly last) notes are A or harmonize with A.
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Concertina Player
Re: What key?
So Becky, what instrument *do* you play? That will shape any answer we can give here.
Shouting out the key or mode is usually done just to help the backers--guitar, piano, bouzouki, etc.
If you play a melody instrument, knowing the key helps some, but not much, especially in Irish music. Nine times out of 10, the shouted-out key (or mode) is wrong anyway. And it's kinda like telling a mushroom picker that some of the white ones are edible--just enough information to lead to real trouble.
If you're trying to pick up tunes by ear on the fly, you're better off starting at a slow session, where the tunes are played half-speed or slower, over and over, and someone usually gives a few hints along the way (like what the first note is) or breaks the tune down into shorter phrases until people get it all put together. Or some lessons, or at least sitting down with an experienced player and picking her/his brains.
At typical session speed, you have to have your chops all polished and in a row to be able to pick up tunes as they come at you.
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Will CPT
Re: What key?
Thanks for that, I try to play fiddle!
# Posted on January 20th 2003 by Becky