Which keys are essential?

Jonathank · November 2005

Hi Caleb,

(Last post for tonight).

I know Django and any self respecting would-be jazz guitarist should be fluently soloing in any key they want but I was just wondering (following an earlier post to this forum about which keys the beginners Django tunes were in- looks like C/Am, G, F/Dm, D, etc) whether anyone who has had a wider knowledge of gypsy jazz recordings could tell me if there were any keys that Django or the modern gyspy's obviously favoured.

I understand how periods with Rostaing or late period with Ekyan would normally call for keys sympathetic to their instruments(Bb and Eb ?), but was just wondering whether I can streamline my practice routine by focusing on some priority keys at least for a while....

Kcox · November 2005

One of Django's clarinet players could only play in F (Maurice Meunier).

CalebFSU · November 2005

I am not sure what keys would be favored, so to speak. I do think it is absolutley essential to learn how to play in every single key. Lucky for us transposing on a guitar is easier than some other instruments. I am in a lot of classes here at school with horn players who are great musicians and could improvise circles around me, but ask them to play a solo in a key they aren't used to playing in and they will go insane for us it isn't so bad. I would say starting out it is essential to learn tunes in keys that you and the people you play with play in. Then go ffrom there.

asd123321 · November 2005

Dm would be the new guys favorite but then likely going into Am and E in a tune from there.

Kcox · November 2005

What songs are in E? I think G, F, and D majors, along with Dm, Am, and Gm are each far more useful than E.

Em is useful for waltzes, but I can't think of any "beginner" songs in E major. Feel free to correct me.

Jack · November 2005

Some basic ideas:

G minor: Douce Ambiance, Blues en Mineur, It Don't Mean a Thing, Esprit, Rhythmes Gitanes, Swing 48, Swing Gitan, Just One for Babik...

C: All of Me, Exactly Like You, After You've Gone, Artillerie Lourde, J'Attendrai, Swing 42, Swing de Paris...

Dm: Les Yeux, Blue Drag, Latcho Drom, Anouman, Cesar Swing, Bossa Dorado...

Am: Minor Swing, Swing for Ninine, Anniversary Song, Ma Premiere Guitare...

Have fun,
Jack.

MichaelHorowitz · November 2005

Troublant Bolero is in E major....

Kcox · November 2005

You know, even while I was typing it I thought of Troublant Bolero... but that's not what I would consider a straight ahead "beginner" song. I'm not great on theory, but doesn't it switch to Em after the first 2 bars anyway?