The three most common words spoken at jams or at least the semi-amateur and other jams I’m in are: what’s the key? I started thinking about this about a month ago and as you will probably surmise, that can be potentially dangerous. Now you are warned. Keep your children away. When, again in the jams, that question is asked, more than half the time and it really means: “where do I put my capo”. This is true due to the four guitars and three and half banjos (one of them is an open back) that are in my usual jams. The real musicians in these jams are actually truly asking for the key. You know the fiddles, mandolins and of course the bass. We “don’ need no stinkin’ capos.”
Continuing the dangerous activity that got me here I’m reminded of one of my favorite music books, “The Music Lesson” by Victor Wooten. Victor is the bass player for Bela Fleck and The Flecktones (no bluegrass content here unless you count Bela’s earlier years before he hit 10,000 hours.) The book is an allegorical musical journey of Victor learning the 10 Elements of music from his very metaphysical mentor, Michael. Not to worry I’m not going to go through all 10 elements in this month’s column for a couple of reasons (there is always two). The first reason is that I only have 500 or so words left this month and secondly, I may need some of these elements down the road in another month that I need to find a hook on the first Tuesday before the first Thursday.
However, I’m going to get into the first element of this example from the book to make a point and then move on. Early on, Michael starts playing a guitar and encourages Victor to play with him. Victor picks up his bass and asks, what key? Michael says nothing. Victor being an accomplished bass player quickly figures out the key and starts to play. Michael stops playing and changes the key causing Victor to stop and again figure out the key and so on and so on. The book has these “scenes” to teach lessons and one of the lessons here is: quoting Michael “don’t ever lose the groove looking for a note.” I’ve expanded that in my thinking to substitute chord for note. I promised to move on and I will. If you want more you’ll have to read “The Music Lesson” yourself… or wait until I’m stumped some other month.
Back to my jams and the 4 or 5 jammers asking what key before every song even if the singer already announced it and we have played it every week for months in the same key, what’s the problem here? What bothers me more is that someone calls a song and then needs to determine what key they want to sing it in. If I remember the “rules” correctly, if you call a song you should know it and present it to the group. If I’m wrong about this, I’m complaining to Dr. Banjo. He needs to amend the rules.
Many times jammers are missing the key because they are scrolling through their tablet or shuffling papers. I’m somewhat guilty here but lately I’ve been leaving the tablet home and using my ears. The more you use them (ears) the better they work. Tablets, in my opinions, are as addictive as nicotine vape pens. They are supposed to help you learn but many get very dependent on them. I bet most would play very well without them but now they’re hooked. I’m wondering what Michael would say to Victor if he asked Michael to hold on a minute while he pulls up the chords on his iPad. I think the Music Lesson would be over.
I’m getting into rules these days. They are strangely similar to New Years resolutions but they’re not because I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. One new rule is my iPad is only authorized in the woodshed. No stinking tablets at jams. The second rule (there is always two) is tequila is authorized in all situations.
That’s enough grumbling for this month. Days are getting longer and jams are happening more frequently. I usually know the keys and certainly concentrate on not losing the groove as a scroll through my tablet.
