What do you prefer? Personally, I'd rather see a Db (an example) than a C#.

Depends on the key.
I would prefer seeing a C# when in the key of B Major.

FWIW-
I do sorta chuckle whenever the leader of the band I'm in sez "A#"...all the time.

Depends on the key. I don't like one or the other better. For example, I like Db, Ab, Bb, and Eb, and I like F# for key sigs. For accidentals, it all depends on the key.

I've always been told that jazz is flats and country is sharps.

:confused: This is a strange question. :hmm: Sharps and flats are functional. It totally depends on the key signature, modulations, harmony... I don't favor one over the other. Therefore, I can't give an answer. Sorry. No hard feelings.

Joe

But just in general, forget about what key you are in. Just a note by itself.

Sharps sounds more important.

I like the look of sharps more...

Every keyboard or piano player I have ever played with has preferred the flats.

Personally, I have no preference. Either works for me. E=Fb

Okay, I gotcha. I need to lighten up a bit here I guess. Sorry about that. :) I totally love sharps when I am ascending and flats when I am descending. My vote was for sharps because they make me feel more secure.

Joe

When I play sax, I am more comfortable with sharp keys, so I picked sharps!

Sharps are a lot easier for me to think in.

and now, for the fretless players with GOOD ear... can you tell the diference between a flat and a sharp?

you know, the sound diference betwen c sharp and d flat.

thats o though one... i know

I'm with seanm. When playing a treble clef instrument, I prefer sharps. With a bass clef instrument, I prefer flats. Dunno why that is, just what I'm used to I guess :)

Depends...if I am ascending a scale or tuning up or raising anything : sharp

But,if I tune to like Db(C#) or in a walking bassline,I am descending gotta go with the flat,baby.

I base it off of the last note played before it. Example: If I play G to G#/Ab ima definately call it a G#,its just a natural thing.

When I play sax, I am more comfortable with sharp keys, so I picked sharps!


+1. I read an article in a magazine I have about different players' preference. The vast majority of sax players chose sharp, while the vast majority of string players chose flat. I'm sure there's some interesting psychology in there somewhere.

It's probably due to classical string players having very flat personalities, and sax players just being sharp cats in general *winks* I'm just joking to any oversensitive classical players out there *grins*

+1. I read an article in a magazine I have about different players' preference. The vast majority of sax players chose sharp, while the vast majority of string players chose flat. I'm sure there's some interesting psychology in there somewhere.

Are you sure about this? I'm a public school music teacher and I know that band kids freak out when they see sharps. String kids play in sharp key signatures for a couple of years before playing flats. I guess it has to do with "leading tone" to an open string. D major (C# leading tone), A major (G# leading tone), G major (F# leading tone). Band students usually get started on "Concert Bb". That's my experience with sharps and flats.

Joe

+1. I read an article in a magazine I have about different players' preference. The vast majority of sax players chose sharp, while the vast majority of string players chose flat. I'm sure there's some interesting psychology in there somewhere.
I believe it is because we tend to play in sharp keys and get very comfortable with them. You just get a bit more nervous when a new piece has more than one flat in the key signature.

With bass, I don't care so much since the patterns are the same.

Personally, I have no preference. Either works for me. E=FbI'm playing with some guys who are trying to get a band together, and they're kind enough to let newbie me (only been in the bassment since February) fill in at their practices until they find their actual bassist. It's great for me -- much more valuable to learn locking in with a live drummer than playing against a CD track -- and it helps them out because at least they have some kind of bottom end as they work out their set lists, medleys, etc.

Anyway, I learn this one song in C like it was originally recorded, I get it down pretty solid, and we work on it at a couple of practices. Then at the next practice the singer's schedule gets better and he shows up for the first time since we started working on that song... and declares that it stretches his range and we need to play it in B. Cr*p.

There's some back-and-forth about whether he can manage it in C or if we really need to play it in B, and I don't get a clear read on what key it's gonna be in. So, just as we're about to launch into it, I say, "Okay, we're playing this in C-flat, right?"

There's this second or two of dead silence while the guitarists just sort of stare at each other blankly, then everybody* bursts out laughing. Sez the rhythm guitarist, "Hey, if it makes you more comfortable, go for it!" :D

I actually did pretty well with it, except that the nut** kept getting in the way. ;)

'rick

*Everybody except the drummer. I guess they don't worry too much about key signature...

**No, not the drummer. I mean the nut on the bass. No, not me, geez guys... :p

P.S. No ragging on the drummer intended, he's actually a nice guy, very sharp, and keeps tight time. I'm very fortunate to have him to practice against.

I prefer sharps. To make a note sharp, you just nip up a half step. To show it as a flattened, you have to go up a note, and then back down, which sort of throws me. Also, I find the relationship between G and G# far easier to see than that between G and Ab. I have to think to myself, "oh, Ab is G#".

I am much more comfortable with flats. I dont like sharps at all really.

Flats are a little lazy, but they're more fun to spend time with.

I don't care as long as it makes sense.
SB

I dig flats. And they are not Lazy just Laid Back. :D
Sharps are just to high-Strung kind of like gui*ar*st :) :D

and now, for the fretless players with GOOD ear... can you tell the diference between a flat and a sharp?

you know, the sound diference betwen c sharp and d flat.

thats o though one... i know

Sure I can. But not very useful when playing along with a keyboard instrument, or a fretted guitar.

i guess its only usefull in a very determined context, but im sure that used properly it will give such a rich tone to the theme... its a must try with some string arrangements...

Does not make a difference to me, since I compose primarily on keys.

Circle of Fifths
----------------


C
F G

Bb D

Eb A

Ab E

Db B

F#



I prefer the F# over the Gb.

It looks nicer.

I say niether.. I would rather have a sharp or flat used in it's proper way. Like I wouldn't want someone telling me in Fmajor the notes are F G A A# C D E F

Flats are a little lazy, but they're more fun to spend time with.

Made me chuckle. :smug:

I started out playing off tuba sheets in concert band, so yeah, I'm down with flats.

Made me chuckle. :smug:

I started out playing off tuba sheets in concert band, so yeah, I'm down with flats.
Are tubas concert C?

Are tubas concert C?

Eh, not sure sean, but all the tunes were in flat keys.

What I do know is back then I was the master of root/5th's. ;)

I could give a crap what key I'm playing in as long as the music being played sounds good.

I say niether.. I would rather have a sharp or flat used in it's proper way. Like I wouldn't want someone telling me in Fmajor the notes are F G A A# C D E F

YES! Thank you. I couldn't have said it any better. :) +1

Joe

Are tubas concert C?
I believe they come in Bb and C varieties.

I believe they come in Bb and C varieties.
They come in BBb, F, C, Eb usually. In schools BBb(yes BB flat) are usually used. The tuba music is written in C and most band music is usually in flat keys.(Bb, Eb, Ab and F seem the most popular)

Yeah, I'm a tuba player too. Definetly down with the flats.

They come in BBb, F, C, Eb usually. In schools BBb(yes BB flat) are usually used. The tuba music is written in C and most band music is usually in flat keys.(Bb, Eb, Ab and F seem the most popular)

Yeah, I'm a tuba player too. Definetly down with the flats.
Since we are talking about tubas, have you ever heard the Dixie Power Trio's rendition of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"? Great tuba line!

Read this quote, it is what I originally meant:
But just in general, forget about what key you are in. Just a note by itself.
*not directed at any specific person*

Seems like an asinine question now that you mention it like that. Not trying to be mean.

:bawl:

I wouldn't think so, it's still pretty much the same question as before, just without the "it depends on what key and whether ascending or descending" answer.:p

i'm more used to playing in keys with sharps (G, D, A) etc just because i used to take classical guitar in school for 5 years, and almost all of tunes we played in were written for "sharps" more so then flats.

doesnt really matter though, i can play either.

I'm a sharps kinda guy. They are edgy. Sharps give me the feeling I'm going somewhere - transistioning into a new place, ascending to a new plane. Transcending upward and onwards. Like a kid standing on tiptoe trying to reach those cookies mom put on the top shelf.

Flats feel relaxed like yer returning to a familiar place you've already been (which is an excellent feeling too). Mellow. Or like your goin' down - as in nap time.

Sharps give exciting beautiful tones like #4 in major and the cutting M3; gives ya the M6 in minor what sounds makes ii like a blusey dom.

If I was goin' to a go-go I'd definetly hang wid da sharps

this makes no sense... you can't have a preference

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Now I am going to take this rather curious question from a sight-reading perspective where for me it seems to have its only relevance. The question then becomes for the basisst are flat keys easier to read than sharp keys.
I would argue that its the number of sharps and flats that presents the psychological barrier.
As bassists if you play mainly rock/pop/metal the keys are essentially governed by the open strings which are all sharp keys. Eminor for metal or then, G, A D etc for other forms.
A horn player is confronted with Bb or Eb as their "open strings".
Jazz players don't choose Bmajor as their dominant key.
Piano players would surely avoid Bmajor as well.
However in my experience with big band charts everything is in a flat key virtually. Glenn Miller had a thing for Db and Ab for example.
I have never seen a chart written in F# but have seen some in Gb. So then you get a Cb. You just learn to deal with it.
Its a mind set thing with the bass or guitar. Open strings give us comfort and shifting capability. Its the number of sharps and flats that incrementaly decrease the open string option that makes it difficult for me at least.
Its also outside those little markers on the board that are all sharps or naturals technically. Its in the gaps.

Sharps look too similar to the natural symbol to my bad eyes- they're harder to distinguish.

Every keyboard or piano player I have ever played with has preferred the flats.

Personally, I have no preference. Either works for me. E=Fb

I don't have a huge preference, although I slightly prefer flats from playing so much Gospel in the day (everything's in Eb or Bb). BUT we had a lot of trained keyboardest writing charts and I HATE when I see a Fb or a Cb on a chart. THOSE NOTES DO NOT EXIST, They are figments of a bored keyboardist imagination! :crying:

How about:

Circle of 3rd's

- C, E, Ab

Circle of 4th's

- C, F, Bb, Eb, etc...

Circle of Diminished 5th's

- C, Gb


I think I ned a brake.

Back in about a month. :)

heres my liking for names

A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab

just the notes on their own, I mainly prefer flats over sharps...

Ab Bb Eb,

but Db and Gb just look weird though, so I prefer F# and C#

sucks to all of you who are too worked up to think of a note maybe just being on its own for once :P

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I don't really like the feel of flats. I use roundwounds...