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.