Translating key changes to the fretboard

[Depth_Charge]

My band recently decided to cover "Gimme One Reason" by Tracey Chapman, and raise the key from F#to G#. No problem there (except since taking on this new singer a lot more songs are being transposed 2 keys higher and I'm losing that low end punch "mumble grumble whinge whine").

I'm curious whether it really matters if I transpose the piece to go up the fretboard as per the "standard" key fingering, or whether it's OK to change the required fingering to use some open notes and play it over more strings instead...if that makes sense.

Thanks,

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

My band recently decided to cover "Gimme One Reason" by Tracey Chapman, and raise the key from F#to G#. No problem there (except since taking on this new singer a lot more songs are being transposed 2 keys higher and I'm losing that low end punch "mumble grumble whinge whine").

I'm curious whether it really matters if I transpose the piece to go up the fretboard as per the "standard" key fingering, or whether it's OK to change the required fingering to use some open notes and play it over more strings instead...if that makes sense.

Thanks,

Of course it's OK, if it works for you. There's no such thing as a required fingering, except in cases where (a) only one fingering enables you to play the line at all or (b) only one fingering yields the sound you want.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

No problem there (except since taking on this new singer a lot more songs are being transposed 2 keys higher and I'm losing that low end punch "mumble grumble whinge whine").

I hate when the singer needs to change keys. It DOES affect the feel and sound of the tune and no one can tell me different.

Play where you need/want to play it. That song is high enough vocally in the original key, I can't imagine wanting it higher. Do you have a female lead now?

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I hate when the singer needs to change keys. It DOES affect the feel and sound of the tune and no one can tell me different.

Play where you need/want to play it. That song is high enough vocally in the original key, I can't imagine wanting it higher. Do you have a female lead now?

We had a female lead before!! If anything we just played songs that were tuned down half a step in standard tune to accomodate.

But this singer...2 keys on some like the one I asked about! I never thought key made that much difference until I had to play Celebrity Skin (Hole) up from A to A#. All those sexy bass fills that pulsed between F# and E (duh-da da-da dah) went all soft in F and G and the bass kind of loses it's presence a little, IMO anyway.

[Richard Lindsey]

Regardless of whether the song may feel or sound different to you in a different key--and it very well may--if it's a good song in one key it's still a good song in another key. The reality is that sometimes you just have to suck it up and do what's needed.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

Regardless of whether the song may feel or sound different to you in a different key--and it very well may--if it's a good song in one key it's still a good song in another key. The reality is that sometimes you just have to suck it up and do what's needed.

+1

Like it or not as bass player and rhythm section player we are there to make the singer or featured soloist sound good. If that requires a key change, just do it and make it sound as good as you can. Unless you're Victor Wooten people aren't coming to hear the bass player they are there to hear the front person and the group make them sound good.

Key changes are part of the musical life. Different keys for male and female singers. Different keys or singer with higher than normal ranges. Do you like hearings singer try to screech out Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson tunes? Their keys are usually too high of other singers. Singers or soloists trying to play in a bad key for them make the whole group sound bad to the audience. Audience won't really know the bass isn't as fat, but they will know when front person is struggling to get the song out. Great example is watch American Idol when the show wants to get rid of someone what do they do. You hear a singer suddenly sing in a key too low for them or tempo too fast to get the lyrics out. America doesn't know why their fave stepped on it, but they know it was bad.


Happy audience means more gigs. The hardest thing for young musicians to learn is music is a business and making the audience happy keeps the you and group working.

[Depth_Charge]

Thanks guys, I get it

Bit of a digression from topic now, but it's my thread LOL!

Do you take the same stance on song selection too? My band want to play some blues/soul and one song in particular - Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield/Aretha Franklin). I come from a metal/rock background and I don't think it will work.

I've spent close to 6 hours trying to learn the song by ear, and I'm getting nowhere fast. Resorted to tabs and of course, I can't find an accurate one ,or a chord sheet as such! And I can't find where to buy the sheet music for the bass either.

We have no horns, no keys and I personally think it will sound bad with a 5-piece comprising a singer, bass, 2 guitars and drums and I have voiced this opinion a few times to no avail. We are expecting to play it in about 3 weeks.

So do I suck that up too and just keep at it? I haven't even worked out a "roots only" version to pull off after 6 hours - I don't think it has one, it sounds like a bass solo when I hear it!!

[pointbass]

Here you go .... pretty accurate for Son of a Preacher Man

http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/sonofapr.htm

And yes, always go where the singer wants to go, key wise. If he/she doesn't sound good, you all sound like cr*p ....

[Depth_Charge]

I suppose I should say thankyou through gritted teeth for that link

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I suppose I should say thankyou through gritted teeth for that link

I know what you mean ... I'm so sick of that song, played it for almost 5 years on every gig with a former band.

[Jazzerbone]

Buy a capo

Slightly off topic but funny... Yesterday in a guitar shop I was talking to the owner when a kid came in and asked them if they sold bass capos. Truely a sad situation.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Jazzerbone

Buy a capo

Slightly off topic but funny... Yesterday in a guitar shop I was talking to the owner when a kid came in and asked them if they sold bass capos. Truely a sad situation.

OI! I've asked about "capo's for bass" on here before