How to play in different keys

[NewBeginnner]

Does anyone know how to play songs from a scale. Like I know my scales, how do you play the songs like in a church service and the singer is singing in a different key. Can someone help this 15 yr old out?

[holyrollinthug]

What's up NewB?  The best thing that you could do right now is to learn the 1, 4, and 5 of every key.  For instance, in C the 1 is C, 4 is F, and 5 is G.  These three chords are guaranteed to get you through almost any song out there.  There are, of course, added chords but those come with time and lots of practice.  Get the progressions down smoothly in every key and that will enable you to play in all your keys (even B).  That will give you an advantage as many "great" musicians cannot play in every key.  Transposition is a handicap.  Lastly, let God lead you in all of your playing.  Be blessed and Stay Anointed!

DB

[robdown]

something else to add to your practice arsenal would be transposing a song you know visually instead of aurally (by ear).

what i mean by this is play a song one chord at a time in a key that you're already familiar with and write down each chord (you can use the Free E-books here at LGM to help).

next, pick a new key and write down the transposed chords in the new key (use those E-books!).

now, when you try to play in the new key put your hands on your lap and figure out the transposed chord by looking at the keyboard...after your brain figures out the chord, play it! repeat this for each chord in the new key until you have the whole song down!

this is a time consuming way to practice, but the more you do it, the more proficient you'll become in multiple areas of playing AND reading.

**another nice benefit to this method is that you've just charted a song in two keys!!**