Have you ever been in a situation where...

[SirTJ]

An impromptu song is sung by the Pastor, Praise and Worship Leader, Soloist, etc. and you know the song in it's original key, but not well enough in the key they're singing in to properly play it (say like E or A or something crazy)? What do you do (or what have you done?). I know some say they simply won't play, but that looks kind of weird to just sit there and not play at all...lol.

[sjonathan02]

An impromptu song is sung by the Pastor, Praise and Worship Leader, Soloist, etc. and you know the song in it's original key, but not well enough in the key they're singing in to properly play it (say like E or A or something crazy)? What do you do (or what have you done?). I know some say they simply won't play, but that looks kind of weird to just sit there and not play at all...lol.

But, it's not any more weird than playing the song badly while the soloist (or whoever) is trying to minister. *kanyeshrug*


BTJM.

[SirTJ]

But, it's not any more weird than playing the song badly while the soloist (or whoever) is trying to minister. *kanyeshrug*


BTJM.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

[T-Block]

Play if u can. If u can't, don't. They won't die w/out music. The service will go on.

[under13]

I just fake my way through it. Start practicing different songs in different keys and you'll get better at it. Some people practice every song they learn in every key.

[thomassan17]

Try practicing any song in E, A, D, B, G. Chords recycle themselves so it's all about becoming familiar with those chord progressions for those keys. thomassan17 Until then, don't play anything that you do not feel comfortable with. There is no shame there.

[Fenix]

I fake my way through it if I know the chord progression used.

[T-Block]

When in doubt, do nothing.

[sjonathan02]

When in doubt, do nothing.

This.

[under13]

An impromptu song is sung by the Pastor, Praise and Worship Leader, Soloist, etc. and you know the song in it's original key, but not well enough in the key they're singing in to properly play it [(size=15pt]say like E or A or something crazy)[/size]? What do you do (or what have you done?). I know some say they simply won't play, but that looks kind of weird to just sit there and not play at all...lol.

just saw this. Learn those "crazy" keys and you wont have much of a problem. You shouldnt be a monster in some keys and a wimp in others.

[SirTJ]

Aight guys, I got'cha.

BTW, this didn't happen to me, but the other day, I saw a musician get clowned because he was messing up Total Praise in what, I guess, was an awkward key for him (he obviously knew the song). I know I need some work in SEVERAL keys, so it just kind of got me thinking (and motivated).

[elio]

Second what was said before. If you have to sit one song out it's ok.

However, if you do want to play:
1. try and pick up the progression on the fly; stick to the key tones: I, IV, V, maybe vi
2. play the melody (RH) and very open/suspended chords (LH)

To pull this off you'll need to have practiced these skills beforehand, which (at least for me) means:
1. when you listen to a song, exercise your ear to pick out the scale tones. Pay attention to the bass player in particular.
2. learn to follow a melody. An exercise I do is this: I pick a random song and play the melody in the RH + chords in the LH. I do this in all keys. It takes time but it's worth it.

[T-Block]

(he obviously knew the song)

Really? This brings up a very good point about learining songs. Learning a song involves so much more than just knowing the chords in a certain key. I wonder how many people today really take the time out to learn the music anymore. Everything is so fast-paced now that I feel bad for the up-and-coming musicians who get caught up in it.

[sjonathan02]

Really? This brings up a very good point about learining songs. Learning a song involves so much more than just knowing the chords in a certain key. I wonder how many people today really take the time out to learn the music anymore. Everything is so fast-paced now that I feel bad for the up-and-coming musicians who get caught up in it.

I understand what you're trying to say, T; at the same time, I believe the musician does know the song. He simply doesn't know it in another key...or a more challenging key that they haven't practiced.


But, to say he doesn't know the song is a bit of a stretch. If you sing it in the key he knows, there wouldn't be an issue.


I think the bigger problem is musicians wanting to clown other musicians instead of taking the teachable moment and dropping some knowledge. 

[under13]

But, to say he doesn't know the song is a bit of a stretch. If you sing it in the key he knows, there wouldn't be an issue.

That depends on the setting. In some churches, the musician is the song leader and the people will sing the songs that the musician chooses in whatever key he or she chooses. (this musician will probably not grow in such a setting as he (or she) are not being challenged imo)

On the other hand, in most black or Pentecostal churches churches the musician is expected to play the song no matter what the key. The service is subject to change at anytime, and the musician is has to flow with that. If you cant deliver and you fumble though the song, then the people are gonna think you dont know the song.

To me its the same thing as transposing. After a musician has been playing seriously for a few years they should be able to hold it down with at least the basics in any key.

I think the bigger problem is musicians wanting to clown other musicians instead of taking the teachable moment and dropping some knowledge. 

I think its a problem as well, but to me its even worse when NON musicians humiliate a musician who messes up.

[T-Block]

But, to say he doesn't know the song is a bit of a stretch. If you sing it in the key he knows, there wouldn't be an issue.

I didn't say he didn't know the song. Maybe I inferred it, but that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to drop a little knowledge, that's all. I'm sure the key they sung it in was a key he hasn't practiced much. I still have keys that I struggle in, so I completely understand.

I think its a problem as well, but to me its even worse when NON musicians humiliate a musician who messes up.

This.

[berbie]

If someone asked me to play "Total Praise" in any key but Db, I would be total lost.  It doesn't seem to follow any pattern that I can see.  I run into those types of songs on occasion.  I would transpose if I could.  I usually don't play. I feel somewhat embarrassed when that happens, but less so than if I disrrupted the song with my playing.

[T-Block]

If someone asked me to play "Total Praise" in any key but Db, I would be total lost.  It doesn't seem to follow any pattern that I can see.  I run into those types of songs on occasion.  I would transpose if I could.  I usually don't play. I feel somewhat embarrassed when that happens, but less so than if I disrrupted the song with my playing.

I can show u the pattern if u want. It does follow a logical pattern, much like classical music. It kinda switches tonal centers a few times, but still pretty much in one key.