What Key?

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Polara Pat
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What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

Hey all, been absent for a good while but this key question has been tormenting me so I thought I'd ask the mob given my severe lack or theory.

So I'm playing a tune in B minor on my D whistle. So if I maintain that fingering and shift to different key whistles, What will I be playing in? I have A, Bb, B, C, C#, Eb. I really like the sound in B.
Also, if this is a goofy question then I don't mind getting berated. Haha
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an seanduine
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Re: What Key?

Post by an seanduine »

Here''s my rough and ready understanding. Bmin will be based off the Sixth note of a D Scale. So, when you change to a whistle based on another Scale, you would then be playing a note based on the Sixth note of the whistle's new Scale. So, on a C whistle, the tune in Bmin on the D whistle becomes an Amin tune.
Hope this helps.

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Re: What Key?

Post by Narzog »

Bob is correct. You can easily visualize this by looking at a key chart like this.

https://www.ezfolk.com/uke/Tutorials/1f ... chart.html

You can see how everything shifts as you go from key to key. If you look at the VI column you can see what each keys equivalent minor is.
trill
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Re: What Key?

Post by trill »

an seanduine wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:38 pm . . . Bmin will be based off the Sixth note of a D Scale. So, when you change to a whistle based on another Scale, you would then be playing a note based on the Sixth note of the whistle's new Scale. .
Indeed.

My first exposure to this was "Aaran Boat", a haunting tune. I was in my early D-whistle days and thought the key signature (c+f sharped) made it a "D" tune. A violinist set me straight.

Here's a tidbit of terminology: every "major scale" has a "relative minor" scale.

The "relative minor" scale begins "a 6th up" (or "a 3rd down") from the major scale tonic/root.

In the lexicon of "church modes": "The scale we now know as major was originally called the Ionian mode and its relative minor was known as Aeolian"

see: https://online.berklee.edu/takenote/mus ... and-minor/

Inquiring minds and all that . . .

trill
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

Wow, I feel like class is in session. It's all very confusing to be honest, even with really good descriptions and charts. I'll have another coffee and try to learn.
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Re: What Key?

Post by oleorezinator »

Read left to right.
Parentheses are the equivalent
of c natural relative to the whistle key.
D E F# G A B (C) C# D
Eb F G Ab Bb C (Db) D Eb
E F# G# A B C# (D) D# E
F G A Bb C D (Eb) E F
F# G# A# B C# D# (E) F F#
G A B C D E (F) F# G
A B C# D E F# (G) G# A
Bb C D Eb F G (Ab) A Bb
B C# D# E F# G# (A) A# B
C D E F G A (Bb) B C
C# D# F F# G# A# (B) C C#
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Polara Pat
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

That's a handy chart to have at a glance. Would Bm just be B? I know...painful. hah
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Re: What Key?

Post by Mr.Gumby »

No. B is a major scale, Bm is, obviously: as the name tells you, a minor one.

All that stuff is explained well here
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

OK I need someone to confirm something for me. If I take the tune that I was playing in Bm on a D whistle and use the same fingering on an F whistle, will it now play in Dm?
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Re: What Key?

Post by trill »

Yup. Yes. Affirmative. Bingo. &cet. . .
Polara Pat
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

trill wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:36 am Yup. Yes. Affirmative. Bingo. &cet. . .
Haha brilliant!! Thanks.

Now I have a solid excuse to buy a low F.

Any solid suggestions? I know there are many threads on this but let's see what folks think.

My first thought is the Kerry Busker.
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Re: What Key?

Post by TxWhistler »

Polara Pat wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 10:01 am
Now I have a solid excuse to buy a low F.

Any solid suggestions? I know there are many threads on this but let's see what folks think.
I have a MK Pro Low F that I bought last year from a C&F member and I really love it.

They come up for sale from time to time and you can get them used at a price much less than a new one. But it you don't want to wait for a 2nd hand one you can always order a one new.

I really like the sound of it and it's very easy to play both octaves. Finger spacing is great. I can even play it without using the pipers grip (but I wear a men's size Large in gloves).
Polara Pat
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

TxWhistler wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 3:48 pm
Polara Pat wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 10:01 am
Now I have a solid excuse to buy a low F.

Any solid suggestions? I know there are many threads on this but let's see what folks think.
I have a MK Pro Low F that I bought last year from a C&F member and I really love it.

They come up for sale from time to time and you can get them used at a price much less than a new one. But it you don't want to wait for a 2nd hand one you can always order a one new.

I really like the sound of it and it's very easy to play both octaves. Finger spacing is great. I can even play it without using the pipers grip (but I wear a men's size Large in gloves).
Funny, I hadn't even thought about MK. Love to own one. I started a WTB thread in the used instruments section. Hopefully someone has something they can live without. I definitely can't afford new at this point.
trill
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Re: What Key?

Post by trill »

Polara Pat wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 10:01 amNow I have a solid excuse to buy a low F.
Side-question: what tune do you want play in Dm ?

ps: I have an MK LowD. Lovely instrument. Never tried his F (or any other F . . . Really, what *is* the Dm tune ? ! :) ).
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Re: What Key?

Post by Polara Pat »

trill wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:12 am
Side-question: what tune do you want play in Dm ?

ps: I have an MK LowD. Lovely instrument. Never tried his F (or any other F . . . Really, what *is* the Dm tune ? ! :) ).
Tam Lin

I was looking at the MK site and drooling. If they sound half as good as they look...
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