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Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 06:44
by Tab
I've been asked to participate in a small music project where the singer needs to change the key in all four songs we are playing - a nightmare for lead guitar where we are trying to keep the riffs as authentic as possible.

Is there any software that will enable a transposition and allow a CD to be burnt off.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Terry

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 07:00
by Mike Honey
I dont know of any software that will do that (doesnt mean it doesnt exist though)/ whilst i agree that it can be a nightmare if you are suddenly joined on stage by a singer who cant sing in the key you are playing in it shouldnt be a problem if you have advance notice. With all due respect and not knowing your musical theory ability its easy to transpose any music into another key. Again with all due respect i can write out and send you a chart for transposing chords and melodies if it would help/ A riff is a riff is a riff no matter what key. One more thing;even if software exists to do what you want it may have an effect on the sound of the singers voice if the key is changed electronically!

mike

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 07:34
by Tab
Thanks for your comments, Mike.

Transposing the chords isn't a problem and as you say a riff is a riff but it won't sound anything like the original because the positioning will be entirely different and the use of open strings which make the original what it is will not be an option.

It just would be nice to have the song on CD in the new key to test out the improvisations.

Thanks for your contribution.

Kind regards

Terry

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 07:59
by Mike Honey
Take your point about the open strings Terry. what about detuning the guitar? dropping the 6th string to a D. G is known as the public key as its the key most crowds will sing in at footie matches etc. worst nightmare is a singer that sings in Bb or Eb for me!!

mike

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:14
by alanbakewell
What's the problem? :D :D :D

Pop down to your local friendly music emporium and cop one of these.


guitar_12_JPG_display.jpg
(31.92 KiB) Downloaded 4648 times

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:20
by Alan Prudhoe
There is s free add-on for Winamp called Pacemaker which will enable you to play mp3 in a different key without altering the speed/tempo.

http://www.winamp.com/plugin/pacemaker/12689

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:26
by Garystrat
Hi Terry

Have a look at "Transcribe" by Seventh String software, this may do what you are looking for:

http://www.seventhstring.com/

Gary

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:28
by RayL
There are CD players made by Tascam which will transpose a CD as it plays. MIne is a GT1 MkII - as it's not the latest model you might find one cheap on eBay.

You don't say whether the singer's key is higher or lower than your key but if it's higher by no more than a few semitones, why not use a capo?

Ray L

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:51
by ecca
Tezza, the software I used on Orange Blossom Special is called Amazing Slow Downer and it's just that, amazing.
You can change speed and/or you can change pitch.
There's a free trial at http://www.ronimusic.com/

Re: Changing Key

PostPosted: 08 Oct 2010, 08:58
by Tab
Thanks for your input guys.

Thanks Ecca, I had the answer already sitting in front of me all the time in Amazing Slow Downer. I'd been using it to slow down those tricky speedy riffs but I didn't realise you could save an altered song (speed and pitch) as a wav file and then burn off a CD.

It doesn't do much for the singers voice but it does help the guitar impros.

Recommended.

Thanks again all.

Terry