Trad Jazz Keys

[jhatpro]

Why are so many trad (Dixie) tunes in F?
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Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[kehaulani]

It's a good playing range.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Turkle]

Not trying to be snarky, but you are of course free to play tunes in whichever key you like. (Or the singer likes.... yikes.)

When you have horn players on stage, generally speaking tunes get called in horn-friendly keys like F, Bb, Eb, etc. If someone calls Cherokee in E, they're usually trying to prove a point, like "get the amateurs off the bandstand, it's time for the adults to get to work."

Kind of funny that when you listen to jazz albums without horns, tunes get called in all kinds of insane keys that lay really well on the keys or guitar. Good Lord, my band plays Chick Corea's "Spain" which is written in the super-helpful key of concert D! Thanks, Mr. Corea. Really helping me out here.

Since I'm playing a gig with a singer tomorrow, I'm actually busy shedding a whole bunch of tunes in unfamiliar keys. She sings Stella in F! That will be fun.
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Yamaha 8310Z trumpet
Yamaha 8310Z flugel
Curry 3.

[jhatpro]

Tunes played in other than the original key never sound quite right to me.

As for singers calling the key, I can put up with it - if they can sing but, more often than not in my experience, they can’t.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Turkle]

[Richard III]

[TrumpetMD]

[Oncewasaplayer]

It's true that most Classic Jazz tunes generally are played in a limited amount of keys (F, Bb, C, etc). This makes it easy on the band (and for subs) but when you're organizing a set list, you need to consider the keys. (Don't organize 10 tunes in F for a set.)

One way to challenge band members is to add modulations to the tunes on the out choruses to get that harmonic boost. Move the tune up a whole step and it suddenly sounds fresh.

When we play Saints, after four or five choruses of singing and playing, I'll move it up a whole step. (Most players can make this change by ear.) We've even soloed on Saints moving it up half steps for each player but that can be chaotic. After playing Take Me Out to the Ball Game in Bb for a while, we moved the tune to F. Bourbon St Parade in Ab? Move it to F and combine it with Bill Bailey.

in my own practicing, I'm trying to play tunes I know in new keys. I started with very simple tunes: Twinkle Little Star or London Bridges. It gets easier if you try it. I'm still figuring this all out.
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Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet

[kehaulani]

[Richard III]