Flats or Sharps?

[Jazzin']

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.

[bassist66]

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.

[ryco]

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

[travatron4000]

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

[travatron4000]

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[Blunt]

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.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

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

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by embellisher

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!

[Correlli]

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.

[All_¥our_Bass]

heres my liking for names

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

[kragen]

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

[Bassic83]

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