Does the key of a piece really matter?

[/0]

It's just something I've been wondering about for a long time. Somehow, inexplicably, I'd always thought "flat" keys were more peaceful and noble, while "sharp" keys were kinda exciting and rebellious. Anyway I was just looking through an old music theory book, and in one exercise it says "This verse suggests quietness and tranquility, so a flat key and a peaceful rhythm would be more suitable."

What do people reckon? How does the key affect the music?



I have a sneaking suspicion that linguistic determinism might be at play...

[ninwa]

What's linguistic determinism?

I agree, but it might just be the years of music theory brainwashing me there seem to be certain keys which have fallen into pre-determined roles. For example, Eb and Bb major seem to be the "march" keys. While more depressing stuff like Chopin's funeral march is Bb...minor.

Hmm, I wonder if that has influenced my synesthesia (sp?). All flat keys are cool colours in my mind (cf. warm colours, not "man that's so cool" cool)

[/0]

What's linguistic determinism?

Bah just english language jargon for how words determine how people think. I mean, something "flat" would be safer than something with a "sharp" edge. Then again... they must have chosen those words for a reason too...

[natalie.krystal7]

Every key, when not taken in the strictest musically theoretical sense is a sharp and flat of another really...

So imo, no it doesn't :p But that's just my take; I usually find myself the determinant as to whether a particular key works or not, whether I'm most comfortable when singing or playing in it.

Just my two cents worth

[Romperait]

I haven't touched theory of any sort for five years, but I remember my teacher mentioning something about the pianos (or whatever they used) used centuries ago had slightly different intervals between the keys, meaning transposition would not be an option unless you wanted to distort the music.

Could this have had some implications on what role each key was generally accepted to have?

[tram]

I haven't touched theory of any sort for five years, but I remember my teacher mentioning something about the pianos (or whatever they used) used centuries ago had slightly different intervals between the keys, meaning transposition would not be an option unless you wanted to distort the music.

Could this have had some implications on what role each key was generally accepted to have?

This is completed true, the same piece transposed into a different key will sound different, this is why covers of songs can sound off if thy have been transposed. It is not so much the piano that is the problem but the notes themselves and their inherrent harmonics that make each Key unique and thus affecting how we 'see' a key

[ninwa]

Every key, when not taken in the strictest musically theoretical sense is a sharp and flat of another really...

Very true, but every key still has a more common and less common form. E.g. you wouldn't usually think of Bb major as A# major (think I've learned maybe one piece in my whole life which was actually in A# major)

Also, we need a music forum, yay/nay?

[gossamer]

^ Agreed, and also yay

[/0]

yay

[Romperait]

Nay!