Brigantine
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Key- how should it factor into song choice?Should one stay away from keys that may be more 'difficult' (i.e., 5 sharps or flats, something with double flats written in) ? Or should you just trust that an accompanist knows what they're doing? If the actual music is fairly simple, would 5 flats not matter so much?
I wanted to do a song for auditions that had 5 flats, and also some double flats weritten in (WHY do composers do stuff like that??) but then was scared that it wouldn't be played well. It would be for a theater that I don't know the quality of their accompanists.
Whatcha think?
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MaryMag
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Tough question.
I'd say if possible, you *should* try to transpose it. You never know what kind of an accompanist you're gonna get. Sometimes even at the best theater in the state I've ended up with a horrid accompanist. Sometimes at a community theater that rehearses in the closet of a Quizno's I've ended up with a brilliant accompanist.
So if it was easy for you to do the song in another key, I'd do it. Like if you're downloading the sheet music on a website and it gives you a lot of different options concerning what key to print it in.
HOWEVER
I read a lot of audition notices that say they want the song in its original key. I understand this to some extent - nobody wants to hear Anything Goes sung above the staff in operatic headvoice and nobody wants to hear Think of Me if you're gonna take the cadenza down (well, no one wants to hear Think of Me REGARDLESS).
Ultimately, I dunno. I've only just kind of confused you more, haven't i?
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Mara
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Re: Key- how should it factor into song choice? | Brigantine wrote: | Should one stay away from keys that may be more 'difficult' (i.e., 5 sharps or flats, something with double flats written in) ? Or should you just trust that an accompanist knows what they're doing? If the actual music is fairly simple, would 5 flats not matter so much?
I wanted to do a song for auditions that had 5 flats, and also some double flats weritten in (WHY do composers do stuff like that??) but then was scared that it wouldn't be played well. It would be for a theater that I don't know the quality of their accompanists.
Whatcha think? |
I've heard that composers tend to write in double flats, 7 sharps etc because for some reason it's easier to sing.
Accompanists *should* know their stuff, but it is really really really difficult to be given a piece of music and instantly play.
I'm an excellent sight-reader, and that's why I'm a good accompanist. But for those not blessed, it's an extremely extremely difficult job.
I think I would freak out a little if there were double flats - for the most part accompanists don't want to stuff up for the person! That being said I know I could do it - but depending on the quality of the player you might have a bit of trouble. I wouldn't be panicking at 5 flats, but someone else might. If you gave me 7, then I would panic.
If the actual music is fairly simple, it should be ok.
But if you're really worried, transpose it slightly - as little as you can manage without disrupting your singing.
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