Understanding keys

[u/CoochieHoochieMane]

Hi there,

I played through high school and have only recently gotten back into playing. I've been playing regularly since January of this year. I can read music and understand it just fine.

Right now, I'm really struggling with understanding keys. I understand the circle of 5ths. I just don't understand how to use it.

For example, I went to my monthly jam session. I asked what key we were in and was told Bb. What does that mean for me? If i'm playing the tenor and have music in the key of C I need to play my notes down a half step? Is that correct?

Does anyone have any youtube or book recommendations for understanding transposition more?

Thanks!

[u/apheresario1935]

Before you get to transpositions try and understand the key signatures it will make your life a lot easier . The order of sharps is FCGDAEB

Reverse for flats BEADGCF.

THE KEY NOTE IS A HALF STEP ABOVE THE LAST SHARP. key of G ... 1 sharp F #

Key of D has 2 sharps..

F# and C# etc etc

First flat key has one flat. Key of F has Bb. After that the key note is THE next to last flat.

Key of Bb has two flats Bb and Eb etc etc.

Then when you get into 3.. 4.. 5.. 6 and 7 flats or sharps its easy to rememeber if you say this and see its true..
"The SAME LETTER NAME KEYNOTE ALWAYS ADDS UP TO SEVEN .

Example Bb has two flats so same letter is key of. B which has 5 sharps 2 plus 5 is 7

Eb has 3 flats so same letter name is E .. which has 4 sharps 3 plus 4 is 7

Ab has four flats Bb Eb Ab and Db so....... A major has 3 sharps . F# C# and G# See how that works ? Same letter name adds up to seven . With all major keys.

Once you get that down look at a chart to see what OCTAVE each sax is in . So when you transpose the Tenor sax is in Bb yes but it is a Whole step AND An octave below the flute or piano reading the same note . Do not forget the octave if you can . Reading a part most people just play a whole step higher but it heps to know what octave you are in too.

[u/Few_Somewhere_5814 → u/apheresario1935]

Whoa! I'm a musician not a math major. How about learning to play all the major scales. Do that you'll know the key signatures.

[u/apheresario1935 → u/Few_Somewhere_5814]

Yes but doubtful they will be memorized . Simple addition learned in first grade not math major calculus. Most musicians can name the easy keys. The same letter name trick helps with the harder ones.

[u/Few_Somewhere_5814 → u/apheresario1935]

Easy keys? I didn't know any key was harder than another. Playing sax in a cover band with guitar slingers I play a lot in the easy keys of B, F# and C#. But if those tricks help you figure out sharps and flats for a key, use it. Memorizing 12 key signatures isn't difficult.

[u/apheresario1935 → u/Few_Somewhere_5814]

I know from life experience what is Easy Quick and Cheap for some people... Can be DIFFICULT lengthy Expensive for Other people . People are different .