7 #'s???

[hdracer]

I was going over some music & noticed this one song had 7 #'s. I have never seen that before. I have looked in all of my books & cord charts. It starts with a C#7 chord G#7,F#7. Can someone explain to me what scale or key this is? C#?

[elgecko]

Yup, key of C#. The major scale would be

C# D# E# (F) F# G# A# B# (C) C#

[Marginal Tom]

The key is C# major: 1 and 8=C#, 2=D#, 3=E# (aka F, but E# in this key), 4=F#, 5=G#, 6=A#, and 7=B# (aka C, but B# in this key). This is the same key as Db major, except there the notes notes are named Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C.

Because there are seven sharps in C# and only five flats in Db, the key is usually called Db.

[hdracer]

Ok, thanks, I notice that the E's,G's & B's are marked natural.

[MalcolmAmos]

The sharp and or flat notes in a scale become sharp and or flat chords in the key as you use the notes of the scale to make the chords in a key. The extension (6, 7, 9, 11 or 13) are added to the basic chord (C#) - so yes you can have C#7, etc. it's the old chicken or egg thing scale notes become chords and then you add extensions.

Good luck.

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by Marginal Tom

The key is C# major: 1 and 8=C#, 2=D#, 3=E# (aka F, but E# in this key), 4=F#, 5=G#, 6=A#, and 7=B# (aka C, but B# in this key). This is the same key as Db major, except there the notes notes are named Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C.

Because there are seven sharps in C# and only five flats in Db, the key is usually called Db.

... Don't you mean that as there are 7 sharps but only 5 flats that the chart would be normally written in Db?.

I've played many a piece of music in the key of Db - on many different instruments - but I don't recall ever seeing anything written in C# (thank gawd ).

[JTE]

Now I've not done as much reading work as others, but would it not be easier to think through"everything is sharp" than to think "everything is flat except F and C"?

To the OP- Work out the order of sharps and flats for yourself (don't just memorize them nor look the up on a chart). Assuming you know W W H W W W H, then start at C and work out the notes in all 12 major keys. That way you'll KNOW not only that C# is seven sharps, but why.

John

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by JTE

Now I've not done as much reading work as others, but would it not be easier to think through"everything is sharp" than to think "everything is flat except F and C"?

You'd think so but, (trust me), "thinking" in Db is much easier than C#. Probably 'cos you never see anything in C# so you don't get the practise. Also, all those # signs in the key sig (are there 6 or are there 7?) can be a little intimidating.

However, it ain't like a brass or reed instrument where the fingerings are different, on a Bass you just move your left hand one fret up .

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

... Don't you mean that as there are 7 sharps but only 5 flats that the chart would be normally written in Db?.

I've played many a piece of music in the key of Db - on many different instruments - but I don't recall ever seeing anything written in C# (thank gawd ).

I've played a lot of Broadyway-type musical shows and for some reason B major, C# Major and E major are popular keys.

I hear C# major differently than Db. Db sounds darker to me.

[hdracer]

Thanks for all the reply's. I am surprised that no one has asked what song it is, or knew it. I am sure most everyone has heard it. It is the original Albert King, Born under a bad sign.Written by Booker T. Jones & William Bell

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Thanks for all the reply's. I am surprised that no one has asked what song it is, or knew it. I am sure most everyone has heard it. It is the original Albert King, Born under a bad sign.Written by Booker T. Jones & William Bell

Well, that's because any song can be played in C#.

[7flat5]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Born under a bad sign.Written by Booker T. Jones & William Bell

Probably a# minor, then, isn't it?