Song Keys Changed From Original..Practice How To?

[Already In Use]

Relatively new player with a question. The band I.m in plays popular music. Most of it I can find on the net so I can practice it between band practice sessions. Here is my challenge. Some songs are played in a different key(singers choice) than the originals so I cant find recordings to practice with. The only practice I get is at actual band practice. I need more than that to stay on track.

Any suggestions? I've tried playing out of key thinking I can learn the song...aint working that well due to being out of key.

Is there a solution? I wish I could click on something and play mp3's or utube vids in any key I like!

Thank you.

[GtenderG]

Well, the longer you play the easier you'll find it to play in different keys on the fly...

I know that cakewalk will allow you to take a .wav file and move it up or down several smitones. I've never done it with a pre recorded tune. I think the more processed the .wav is you'll get more 'glitching'...
It still might be good enough to practice along with...

[jmac]

I use transcribe. Normally, I'll use it to slow down songs. But I have used it to change the key of the song I was learning. It was very helpful.

[winstonthecat]

I've used Audacity (free software) to modify mp3's in the past. It works OK, just a little time consuming.

Currently I use a Tascam Bass Trainer, MP3 version. This allows you to change key and tempo (without changing key) on the fly, and is my main practice tool. The sound quality isn't the best, but good enough for practice.

[standupright]

use audacity, it's easy, quick, free. just import the mp3, select from the drop down list, enter the key to transpose to, done. then you can export it to a new mp3 so you will always have it in that key.

[amosjones]

Audacity Rocks for changing keys of Audio. If you go too far it starts to sound a little weird, but it works for practice. and if you can get the tabs in "Power Tab Editor" you can change the keys of the tabs too

[Already In Use]

Very cool! Thanx a bunch. WOOoooo HOOooo!

You guys are super!

[Already In Use]

Very cool software. Exactly what I needed!

[MalcolmAmos]

If I read you correctly you want to ask Google to call up a video or mp3 of a song so you can jam over it, but, it comes up in a key your sheet music is not using.

Task at hand, what is the video key? If you do not have your software handy -- you can sound your G string and move up the neck one fret at a time. When what is happening on the video and what you are doing on the G string sound good (come together) you've found the tonal center thus the key. Just look down at what fret this happened on, that note is the key used in the video.

If the video is in G and your sheet music is in A put the chords over each other.

A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim
G, Am, Bm, . C, D, Em,..F#dim

So to jam over the video your sheet music A's are now G's and your D's and E's are now C's and D's.

Some notate their fake chord with Nashville numbers not chord names. The generic I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, viidim is all you need on your fake chord. Different vocalist comes into the picture, just place your scale pattern to give the key needed and Play what your fake chord sheet music has - I vi IV V I or whatever.

Good luck.

[DanRJBrasil]

the most simple way for me using a software is with the pacemaker plug in for winamp (the mp3 player that I Like to use most)

[StyleOverShow]

Software is kewl but developing your 'ear' is essential.

[Already In Use]

I have the music in either key. Finding the key wasnt the issue. Ultimately what I wanted was to be able to practice the music in the key the band changed to which is different than the recorded original songs. At my level of experience, to me, the same song in 2 different keys is like 2 different songs.

I'm going to check the winamp solution. I'm having problems with the other software. I can easily import songs, change the pitch from the drop down menu but they wont play. I get an awful electronic shriek when I click play. Have no clue.

[Already In Use]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

If I read you correctly you want to ask Google to call up a video or mp3 of a song so you can jam over it, but, it comes up in a key your sheet music is not using.

Task at hand, what is the video key? If you do not have your software handy -- you can sound your G string and move up the neck one fret at a time. When what is happening on the video and what you are doing on the G string sound good (come together) you've found the tonal center thus the key. Just look down at what fret this happened on, that note is the key used in the video.

If the video is in G and your sheet music is in A put the chords over each other.

A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim
G, Am, Bm, . C, D, Em,..F#dim

So to jam over the video your sheet music A's are now G's and your D's and E's are now C's and D's.

Some notate their fake chord with Nashville numbers not chord names. The generic I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, viidim is all you need on your fake chord. Different vocalist comes into the picture, just place your scale pattern to give the key needed and Play what your fake chord sheet music has - I vi IV V I or whatever.

Good luck.

Thanks! Appreciate that tip. In your example is the rule that once the key is determined all the chords in a song will move accordingly up or down the scale the same number of notes?

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes. The tonic I chord's function is the same in the old or new key. Different chord, because its a new key, but a tonic is a tonic and the sub-dominant a sub-dominant, etc.

If that is not clear ask a rhythm guitarist to explain how the capo works. Sheet music is in D and the vocalist wants to sing in F the rhythm guitar will grab his capo and capo at the 3rd fret - play in D - and that produces the key of F sounds.

No I've never seen a bassist use a capo.

[Already In Use]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Yes. The tonic I chord's function is the same in the old or new key. Different chord, because its a new key, but a tonic is a tonic and the sub-dominant a sub-dominant, etc.

Thank you very much.

[pasta4lnch]

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Software is kewl but developing your 'ear' is essential.

this!

[jlt5x]

You should also consider buying a little recorder for your band practices. I have a Sony mp3 recorder and it records live bands great - and I think it cost under $100. This allows you to practice along with the particular arrangement your band is using for each song

rock on

[Already In Use]

Originally Posted by jlt5x

You should also consider buying a little recorder for your band practices. I have a Sony mp3 recorder and it records live bands great - and I think it cost under $100. This allows you to practice along with the particular arrangement your band is using for each song

rock on

Interesting. I wanted to record our practices onto a computer via a usb interface. The keyboard player owns the PA we are using. Somebody told her if she hooks a bass guitar into her pa it will blow up. I explained how my amp has a DI out that has its own level comtrol etc..no luck...Perhaps your idea may work. Do these players have the ability to record via a tape out on the pa? That way I can record the bands mix w/o the bass. Thanks.

[Jim Carr]

IMHO, to transpose is to play. Playing a given line, (figure, lick, pattern, ornament, scale, whatever) in any key or within any given harmonic context is essential.

Memorize the song. Work it out in the new key. Ears and eyes help together. You don't need a recording in the new key. Eventually, switching almost anything to any key will be fairly easy, unless there are open string issues. Then there is scordatura, fivers, hipshot, etc.

[seanm]

Just hit that tonight. Original is in F, but guitar players can no longer play in F, so it was moved to G. Because the original relied heavily on open strings, I used audacity to move it to G. This lets me try out different fingerings *before* the gig