Obviously major vs. minor does. But does a composition in A have a different character than one in C? I’ve heard opinions from knowledgeable folks that it doesn’t.

OTOH, I recall reading a comment by a famous composer of classical music to the effect that, “There is still much music to be written in C.” Implying that a composition in C has a different character than one in a different key. There must be some reason for key choice, other than range. Maybe just compactness of notation?

I listen mostly to classical music, especially orchestral.

That's an interesting question. I'm interested in hearing some responses.

I played trombone all my life and most band music is written in F, E♭, B♭ and occasionally A♭. I also played in a few orchestras. Those keys were generally in G, D, and A. PIA for a brass player dealing with sharps vs flats. I sing in various choirs as well. Those charts are generally written so that a tenor will seldom see a note above a middle C.

I say yes for a couple of reasons.

1. Certain instruments, imo, have sweet spots in their range and certain notes that sound better than other notes. It could be the richness of the tone or it could be that for instance, you run out of notes on a keyboard or fretboard. If you're in a key where the peak of the song needs to be a high B, a violin fretboard only goes to A7 in standard tuning. Things like that could make the composer key it differently or change the instrumentation.

2. The above is especially true for vocals. I sing in church a lot (contemporary music) and we actually do change keys around a lot to fit different vocalists and their ranges. Some songs have more musical impact than others because of that.

3. Some keys are also more difficult to play in on certain instruments. A key that is easy on a piano might not be on a guitar, et al. That's why a lot of guitar players use a capo or pianists might use a transposer on an organ or electric piano. The capo absolutely changes the tone of the guitar.

ABSOLUTELY.

As YellowJacket said, certain registers bring out different characteristics of instruments and voices.

But some keys have a darker, richer sound than others. D-flat major, for example, is the richest key to me. G major is very bright to my ears.

D minor is a common key for Requiem masses from the great composers, but it isn't necessarily the most depressing sounding key.

quote:

Originally posted by Maestro:
<snip>
D minor is a common key for Requiem masses from the great composers, but it isn't necessarily the most depressing sounding key.

Agree. A couple of my favorite pieces are in d minor:

César Franck – symphony #1
J. S. Bach – toccata and fugue

quote:

Those charts are generally written so that a tenor will seldom see a note above a middle C.

Do you sing in a castrati choir? Vienna Boys' Choir? I don't recall ever seeing a C, but then for many years I was a bass until a woman changed me to a tenor (relax it was my voice teacher).

Big difference. Keith Richards played "Honky Tonk Woman" in the key of G. Actually, he played several songs in that key. What a great rock guitarist.

And, he's still alive!

Certain keys just sound better to some, in some contexts. I quite like F#m.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
But does a composition in A have a different character than one in C? I’ve heard opinions from knowledgeable folks that it doesn’t.

IMO, yes it does.

Here is a very simple example, KISS performs this song in it's original key of A major:



And here is the same song years later, dropped down a whole step in the key of G major:



Of course bands do this all of time for various reasons, but largely lead singer issues- age, damaged vocal cords, etc. Some bands will de-tune their guitars half a step to give the singer an easier time on a long tour. But for my ears, a whole step is noticeable. Elton John, The Who, Rod Stewart, etc change the original key of their recorded works for live work. A couple of years ago, I heard one of the few older guys who doesn't do this is Paul McCartney, who apparently has still performed using original keys of songs.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:

quote:

Those charts are generally written so that a tenor will seldom see a note above a middle C.

Do you sing in a castrati choir? Vienna Boys' Choir? I don't recall ever seeing a C, but then for many years I was a bass until a woman changed me to a tenor (relax it was my voice teacher).

Mostly our Church choir. I also sang in a choir in Mexico with similar charting but also a choir in Florida that saw tenors going up to an F. That sent some tenors to the Bass section.

I'm used to seeing tenor vocal parts up to about Bb on the high end (gospel choir). C is an extra gear.

Human hearing adores music. (in addition to all the good stuff already posted)

It is "tuned" to a specific range of frequencies and there is "preference" in that range that affect mood and emotion.

It is why certain tones are good for warning, and why some are more pleasant and another off putting.

For example, low tones tend to be soothing, think fog horn. And higher tones shrill and "alarming" think high pitch steam whistle. Both may have mixed semitone due to resonance, and not separate chording.

Great composers are able to best arrange in a key that evokes the full range of emotions for the composition, the instruments and even the audience.

The circle of fifths is often taught as a flat stepping, but it is multi-dimensional.

If it "right" or "wrong", you know it when you hear it. (even if you can't explain it)

-musicalmonkey

Wow, Paul Stanley sounded terrible in that newer video. No key change could save that.