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Keys vs Guitars
I lead worship at our church...and I play keyboard. This seems to be a double handicap for me...female keyboard player. I can't sing the songs recorded by male singers, because of the key. But, I get a lot of guff from the guitarists because they say they CAN'T play the songs in the keys they need to be in for me & the rest of the female portion of the world to sing them.
But...we had a funny at rehearsal. I handed out some new music. They took one look at it and flipped out. (My 18 yo son is one of the guitarists, so his "flipping out" is more loud than the rest of the group). He said it was "physically impossible" to play the song in that key. Too many sharps. Then the other guitarist and the bass player chimed in and agreed that it was totally un-playable. (and here I thought the guitar was a flexible instrument!)...But, I noticed my notes on the song didn't match the key.
I played the recording and discovered what was wrong with the sheet music:
It was in the original key!!
So, I asked them to listen to the recording while I went to print music in the "new and improved" key...but told them they shouldn't try to play along with the recording because it was physically impossible and I didn't want them to hurt themselves.
What keys are "physically impossible" for guitarists??
But...we had a funny at rehearsal. I handed out some new music. They took one look at it and flipped out. (My 18 yo son is one of the guitarists, so his "flipping out" is more loud than the rest of the group). He said it was "physically impossible" to play the song in that key. Too many sharps. Then the other guitarist and the bass player chimed in and agreed that it was totally un-playable. (and here I thought the guitar was a flexible instrument!)...But, I noticed my notes on the song didn't match the key.
I played the recording and discovered what was wrong with the sheet music:
It was in the original key!!
So, I asked them to listen to the recording while I went to print music in the "new and improved" key...but told them they shouldn't try to play along with the recording because it was physically impossible and I didn't want them to hurt themselves.
What keys are "physically impossible" for guitarists??
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Bull on -
I understand the accordion was very popular with the early Pentecostals here in Britain. I have heard it used and err! Well! It’s not really me but it can work.
The bagpipes are another matter. They truly are more of a weapon of warfare that an instrument of worship. They were one of, if not the first terror weapon. In the First World War where the Scots Guards still went into battle wearing kilts and playing the things and the Germans called them the ladies from hell.
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Permalink Reply by daniel cash on -
I think suspenders of some sort...
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Permalink Reply by Kevin LeVrier on -
There is no such thing, tell them to try to tune in "drop D", this makes it a little easier. On the other hand, YOU are the leader, if it doesn't fit you, it doesn't work. So change to whatever key, tempo.....that fits you. I have led worship for about 11 years and the church I am at now (4 1/2 yrs) I have changed keys and whatever to fit me. Not because we are the superstars of the show, but it is hard to lead what you can't sing. By the way, I lead behind a KEYBOARD, we are not handicapped. Check out the Deluge worship team, you can find an Amazon link to them here: http://www.squidoo.com/Worship-1
God bless
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Permalink Reply by Guitarearl on -
The other solution would be to allow the opportunity for a guy singer to help cover some of those guy songs.
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