Kirky

Good point ras52.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1375262210' post='2158887'] [i]"To work out whether the piece of music you're looking at is major or minor, you need to look for clues - the main clue is looking for the accidental that represents the raised 7th in the minor key associated with the key signature - for example if the key signature has two sharps (F#, C#) it will be in either D major or B minor. If there are lots of A# accidentals, its likely to be in B minor. Other clues are the chords (or notes) used to start and end the piece."[/i] ......this bit here (well above ), would it be fair to say that if the key was the relative minor, there would have a disportionate of 3rd's in the tune too....as it's the 3rd that identifies if it's minor or major key? just a thought? again many thanks for all have taken time and effort out to help me clarify things.... [/quote] Well, say we're in D major or B minor. The third in D major is F#, which is also the 5th in B minor. F# is probably going to appear a lot in both keys, so its not something I would use to differentiate. Or the 3rd in B minor (D) is also the tonic in D Major...not going to be very useful. The raised 7th accidental is your best clue.

The method I used is based on simple recurring patterns. For sharps (and major keys): C major has no sharps or flats. The fifth note in the scale is G... G major has one sharp - the new sharp is the 7th note in the scale (F#). The fifth note in the scale is D... D major has 2 sharps - the new sharp is the 7th note in the scale (C#). The fifth note in the scale is A... A major has 3 sharps - the new sharp is the 7th note in the scale (G#). The fifth note in the scale is A...etc etc So when you look at a key signature with sharps, to find the key just look at the last sharp in the key signature (which will always be the 7th note in the scale) and go up a semitone - hence the key signature with the last sharp as A# is B major. For flats and major keys: C major has no sharps or flats. The fourth note in the scale is F... F major has one flat - the new flat is the 4th note in the scale (Bb). The fourth note in the scale is Bb... Bb major has two flats - the new flat is the 4th note in the scale (Eb). The fourth note in the scale is Eb... Eb major has three flat - the new flat is the 4th note in the scale (Ab). The fourth note in the scale is Ab... etc etc So to work out the key for a key signature with flats, look at the last flat and go down a 4th. Not quite as straightforward as sharps but still pretty easy. For minor keys, the same pattern works but start on a different note: Sharps (minor keys): A minor has no sharps or flats. The fifth note in the scale is E - E minor has one sharp, which is the second note in the scale (F#). The fifth note in E minor scale is B - B minor has 2 sharps, the new sharp being the second note in the scale (C#). etc etc Flats (minor keys): A minor has no sharps or flats. The fourth note in the scale is D - D minor has one flat, which is the 6th note in the scale (Bb). The fourth note in the D minor scale is G - G minor has two flats, the new flat being the 6th note in the scale (Eb), etc etc You can also just go down a minor third from the major key, but that isn't always so easy to see (on a keyboard, at least). To work out whether the piece of music you're looking at is major or minor, you need to look for clues - the main clue is looking for the accidental that represents the raised 7th in the minor key associated with the key signature - for example if the key signature has two sharps (F#, C#) it will be in either D major or B minor. If there are lots of A# accidentals, its likely to be in B minor. Other clues are the chords (or notes) used to start and end the piece. I find that once you've got your head around the patterns/rules above, dealing with keys is easy. The hardest part of sight reading (I find with my piano pupils) is in reading rhythm/timing, especially dotted notes. Hope that's useful.

Ok as The Regency is about 1 minutes walk from my house, I really can't not turn up to this one - I'll be there!

Can't make it, but its a great venue - I was there for a jam night on a Wednesday night a few weeks ago and every performer that got up was fantastic. Enjoy your gig.

Simon Cowell doesn't get his own way?? Sounds like you've got a great couple of guitarists to work with, and the fact that they bring different qualities just enhances the experience. Sometimes a change is refreshing, but that doesn't mean that the first guy isn't still fun to play with. I'm in a similar position with drummers in my blues band - totally different styles but both a joy to make music with.

I play with Motor City Blue - website in my sig. Blues/soul/rock covers.

+1. Hold On is a great song.

Well done everyone. Skol's stood out for me, and gets my vote.

Walking down the aisle was some Handel, but our first dance was 'I Surrender' by Suicide, surprisingly a truly beautiful song.

My little blues/soul combo is playing the Cricketers in Keighley this Friday, 21st June, from around 9pm. Come and say hello if you're out and about in Keighley.

Check out The Knitters - members of LA punk bands X and the Blasters doing skiffle/bluegrass/rockabilly stuff.

A cup of tea and a crisp buttie - white bread, butter, ready salted.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1370276095' post='2098462'] Of all the styles that this picture seems to inspire and subliminaly suggest , I still have that country twang thing running through my head [/quote] I've got Ry Cooder's 'Paris, Texas' soundtrack running through my head, Must have a go one of these days.

Our first time at the Blues Bar in Harrogate. We haven't rehearsed with the drummer for a while (he gigs in the South West throughout the spring and summer) so the first set wasn't perfect, but the audience were appreciative. Second set was better and we had them dancing on the chairs by the end of the night. Great venue, I hope they'll have us back. The two Compacts, which I though might be overkill for the small venue, sounded great.

Tonight...

Whenever I'm using my Compact and there's a rattle, it's always something else in the practice room.

My little blues/soul/R&B combo, Motor City Blue is playing the Blues Bar in Harrogate this Friday. It might be overkill but I'll be taking both Barefaced Compacts. Playing from about 9:15 to midnight. Come and say hello if you're out. http://www.bluesbar.co.uk/ Martin[attachment=135172:MCB Blues Bar 4.jpg]

Another happy customer, small purchase (a capo) and all very slick.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1367416475' post='2065362'] I think there is a Ron Carter tune in there somewhere.... Garry [/quote] Herbie Flowers, surely...