Does this tick anyone else off???

[Cycho]

Singers should know something about music if they want to be in a band. Otherwise communication is very difficult.

[Jeff K]

I've found that most of the time, if the rest of the band isn't sure what key a song is in, they'll look to me as the bass player to figure it out. So in your (the OP's) situation, I'd have her start singing the song, then play along to figure out what key she's singing it in. Problem solved.

Of course it WOULD be a big help if she'd just say, "This one's in D, boys!"

[warnergt]

Originally Posted by Double E

I'd only expect a singer to know the key of a song if they wanted to sing it in a key different from the original.

My feelings exactly. If they say they do a song, I would
expect it to be in the original key unless they indicate otherwise.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by SBassman

I wish I knew how the Me and Booby McGee thing took root. I really dislike that song. What a bore.

Not if one sings it the way Kris wrote it. That Joplin version was an abomination ...

[lunarpollen]

For a decent singer, it doesn't matter if they don't know the name of the key(s) a song is in, as long as they can *hear* the key(s) and sing appropriately for whatever it is, and be able to know when a note is wrong for a certain key or chord. They need to have an innate sense of what is harmonious and what is disharmonious, and be able to tell when they are flat or sharp. They don't need to sing in perfect tune all the time like some kind of sterile auto-tuned creature, but they have to have a good sense of pitch self-awareness and know when something works and when something sounds bad.

[klejst]

You would think and hope they know at least enough about what they are auditioning for. However you can expect this from anyone no matter if singer, drummer, guitarist....and yeah even bassist. It's just what happens when finding members. Sometimes you have to weed out the flakes and less desired to find the ones.

[Hapa]

Weak sauce...Many singers do not know the key they are singing and many get away with it because they just know the song...their version at least. tick me off... yea, but only when it is an issue that effects the band. IME when confidence is broken when then band is like "***, you don't know what key..." it diminishes the value of the vocals to the vocalist. From there it either is a motivator or destroyer of swagger.

When one has a professional musician - vocalist that knows there keys, knows when to come in take cue's and give them (without looking like they are the ones that were told when to cue the band) is awesome and usually expensive.

[bolophonic]

No. If the singer can sing and understands their pitch relative to what everyone else is playing, and the singer has a reasonable vocabulary for discussing music, then I don't care if they can read music or if they know what key they are singing in.

[RFord04]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Probably going to get an infraction for this, but...

A young gynecologist just out of medical school lands a job with a small private practice in Nashville. As it happens his first week he'll be covering appointments for the chief gyno while he's on vacation. Strictly routine examinations.

His first patient comes in, disrobes and put her feet in the stirrups. As he leans in to begin the exam he faintly hears "Crazy..."

He decides he must be hearing things, finishes the exam, and has the nurse bring in the next patient. Again, feet in the stirrups, "Crazy..."

As the day goes on this happens with every patient. Later at home the doctor he's covering for calls to ask him how things went. He details his experience, sure that he's about to be sent to the loony bin. The senior gynecologist just laughs and says, "Son, this is Nashville. Every **** in town thinks she's Patsy Cline!"

*Crickets*

Did you make that up just now?

[Schmorgy]

There's a ton of instrumentalists that are just as bad.

I just think that bad singers are much more prevalent because any delusional yahoo can dub themselves a singer, whereas even terrible instrumentalists had to go out and at least buy the things.

[Factor88]

Over the years I've played in 4 different full time rock or country cover bands that had female lead vocals, and the only one I recall knowing the keys was one that also played rhythm guitar. I also recall that those bands entertained a whole lot of people and made a whole bunch of cash, so no, I don't care about singers not knowing the keys.........

[pocketgroove]

Surprisingly, I've never thought about this, though I do think singers should know some level of music theory, to make communication easier. However, in most of the situations I've played in, I've been the only one to know the key, and sometimes even the form. With good players/singers, it's typically not a problem because everyone can get to the same key by ear.

[fishtx]

had a singer sit in once and want to "tell us" what key she did songs in...we nodded and played them all in the original keys...she didn't know the difference...

[JohnMCA72]

In fairness, it's not like a singer's voice "instrument" has frets, keys, markings, or anything else to tell them that a certain position equates to a certain note. I find true "perfect pitch" to be pretty rare.

Although it would be great if they could do it, it's not really necessary for a singer to accurately hit some random note when asked to, it's absolutely essential that they be able to match some note that's played when they hear it. I've known plenty of "singers" who couldn't do that much, even.

Anything & everything that a singer can learn about music theory only helps, just like for any other instrument. The more you can bring to the table, the more valuable you'll be.

[bloobass]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Slightly off-tangent: We're frequently approached by female singer wannabe's during a set. My standard response has been "...okay, we'll let you sit in provided you don't do Me & Bobbi McGee or anything by Patsy Cline". 9 times out of 10, their jaws drop open and they just walk away.

Riis

When we have someone approach, we ask them what key they do a song in...if they can tell us, we'll back them for a tune.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

I'm actually quite surprised how many people here on TB are OK with the singer not knowing the key they sing in. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but frankly, for me, that's a deal breaker.

I don't think it should be surprising. The people here on TB run the gamut. My gut feeling is that the bulk are people who are "also" musicians, and many (me included) are coming at this from the perspective of this particular point not having any true significance. While a singer being musically knowledgeable may work to be a benefit, the success or quality of singing (i.e., solely singing) in some part-time endeavor, especially a band playing covers, has no ultimate dependency on the singer simply "knowing the keys."

I'm actually surprised that anyone, full-time pro or not, would call this a deal breaker...a deal breaker? That means if you had the most gifted singer in front of you who didn't know the key of the songs they sing, you wouldn't consider them

That's an inflexibility that doesn't make a bit of sense to me.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

In fairness, it's not like a singer's voice "instrument" has frets, keys, markings, or anything else to tell them that a certain position equates to a certain note.

Perfectly put

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by drpepper

I'm actually surprised that anyone, full-time pro or not, would call this a deal breaker...a deal breaker? That means if you had the most gifted singer in front of you who didn't know the key of the songs they sing, you wouldn't consider them

That's an inflexibility that doesn't make a bit of sense to me.

Well, if you make up the most ridiculous, never going to happen scenario, you can find an exception.

The best, most professional singers I've worked with over the years show up prepared, knowing the lyrics (or having copies of them), ready to sing, knowing what key they are singing in. In a perfect world, everyone can sing a song in the original key, in the real world, particularly old blues and country standards, everyone has a sweet spot (the key that they sound best in) and I just think it would be nice if a singer could tell you what that key is.

Don't worry, if "THE GREATEST SINGER IN THE WORLD" shows up, I'll give them a pass.

[almightycrunch]

Well, to be perfectly honest, I play in a well established cover band, we gig every weekend, we're tight and pretty polished. I play completely by ear, always have, always will. If you sat me down and asked me what note I was playing by string and fret, it would take me quite a while to come up with the answer, and most likely would be wrong. I do not know what "key" I am playing in at any given moment, say what you will. Everyone that hears us and myself play would never guess that is the case. I am rock solid, consistent and have impeccable timing. But I know absolutely NO music theory whatsoever, my lead guitar player is a monster and very well studied, but even he cannot grasp HOW I can play as I do.

[Bert Slide]

Who cares if she knows what key you are in. Can she sing in key when you find the range she is comfortable with? And even more important......................................... .................................................. .................................................. .....................Is She Hot???!!!