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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Key selection for tune writing.
Key selection for tune writing.
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tookatooka
1208 posts
Feb 15, 2010
7:32 AM
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If you were to start writing a harp tune, what are the factors that go towards making the decision as to what key you would write it in?
I realise you may select a minor key for a mournful sound but what other things would you need to take into account?
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Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2010 7:32 AM
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phogi
247 posts
Feb 15, 2010
7:49 AM
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I would first consider the vocal range of any vocal parts, and the melody. Where does the majority of the melody lay, and how high the climax will be, and how low you you want to go.
Of course, you can ignore that, write your tune, then change it into any key you want.
The mood of the song is controlled by other things as well, not just the key. But, major-minor tonality does have a large influence. If you use borrowed chords, and certain tempos you can make a major key song very mournful. I find the converse less true, but it can be done.
I find I am often at odds with my harps because the key harps I like to play don't fit my voice well for certain kinds of melodies.
Also, consider others...for us its easy to play in Dd if we want, but if you are going to play it with amateur guitar or piano players, they might balk at certain keys. For guitar players, this means anything but the key of E and A. ; )
Usually I just pick what suits my ear at the time.
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tookatooka
1209 posts
Feb 15, 2010
7:51 AM
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Thanks phogi. That's very useful.
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Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2010 7:52 AM
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mankycodpiece
108 posts
Feb 15, 2010
8:56 AM
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i just write everything in C or Am,then transpose it into an appropriate key later.
remember,everything,well,almost everything has been written already,so it's not easy to be original.
when you finish you're piece,you will maybe think it sounds like something you've heard.you could be right too.
its very rare that i hear something that i think has some originality to it.usualy,if its different,its in the arrangement,not the composition.
the best learning to write music is the old american songbook music.george gershwin,cole porter,that kind of thing.
don't forget the time signature is important too.
good luck with it,its great fun too.
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tookatooka
1210 posts
Feb 15, 2010
9:07 AM
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Hi manki, thanks for the input. Yes being original is the goal but you just don't know where the influences come from deep within, do you? Time Signature??? What's that? I'm a complete novice so the less I know about those sort of things the better. I approach it with complete naivety like our early ancestors did and go by instinct rather than anything else.
Stand aside Gershwin and Porter, I'm a coming through.
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phogi
248 posts
Feb 15, 2010
9:41 AM
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Tooka,
Also, I HIGHLY recommend Jimmi Webb's book "Tunesmith."
My copy is worn at all the edges, well used. He covers many aspects of songwriting. I don't always agree with him, but its a great resource/starting point.
Bear in mind I'm no great songwriter. But some of my song don't suck.
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waltertore
183 posts
Feb 15, 2010
10:05 AM
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I use the harps that are the most interesting to me. This has changed over the years. I use to be into the d,f,e,c,a,g, 14 hole marine band in c, harps. Now it is about 90% a, and the rest usually 14 hole marine band in c, g, low f, low d, low eb, b, c, d. Use the harps that you naturally go to. Walter
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Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2010 10:05 AM
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gene
379 posts
Feb 15, 2010
10:30 AM
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Time signature is that fraction-looking number you see at the start of a stave, such as 3/4. The first number ("3" in this example) means there are three beats to a measure (or bar). The second number tells you what kind of note is a beat. (A quarter note in this example.) 3/4 is a waltz, by the way.
6/8 is usually a faster tempo. Six notes to the bar, the 1/8 note is a beat. Sometimes, 4/4 is displayed as a large "C"
As far as your original question, I'm posting This just for fun. It may be way more than you need or understand right now. I only use that (a much simpler version, though) to find the key of a song and to select a harp for positions other than 1st.
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tookatooka
1211 posts
Feb 15, 2010
10:46 AM
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Gulp! Thanks Gene. That Circle of fifths looks a very useful tool. I've saved it as a favorite. Now where did I put those asprin?
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