I grew up in smallville USA….no players at all, I went to a pipe organist for 3 lessons, just to learn what key I was in(slow learner right?). I started on organ at 14, and could chord 2 hands in Eflat nearly immediately, but play nothing else(I mean zilch) in other keys…Aflat, and Bflat came next. I grew up cogic, so I used those 3 keys for congregational (of course all shouts in Aflat). At 16, a shift came to my life we started doing “worship” music, So I picked up Dflat and F, I grew in those keys, and then one day at 18 while fooling around Bnatural and F#opened up to me. 19 years I ventured and played for a Baptist church, so I learned C for hymns, and tune up chords. So for many years, E,A,D,G were my weak or non existent keys. A white brother came from an Assembly of God to sit under me ( I was MOM). He led worship from the guitar, so of course I picked up E, A. I then figured why settle at good enough, so I took on the challenge, and worked(and am still working) with my fluency in D & G. I’m 33, and play more piano than organ now, but F# major is actually my favorite key, prophetically Eflat minor, Bflat minor, and A natural has great clarity to me. I prefer to play in B, over Bflat major, I prefer E over F …and I prefer A natural over G. Funny thing is 20 years ago I played EVERY song in Eflat…..now, it’s like I avoid it, I typically don’t play in it, unless someone is singing in it(except Eflat minor)
I don’t have perfect pitch, so when I’m at home and practicing, I’ll hum a song or tune, and when I reach the piano, that's the key I have to start in, and I must modulate and play the song in all keys, without my pretend audience being able to decipher which keys are my weak or strong, my practice session is over, when I’ve gone thru all the keys seamlessly….but when I’m worshipping at the piano, I just choose a key and play my best to HIM.
I encourage you all to find the balance of working at your craft..... and ministering directly to God(your giftgiver)thru your playing
