Musicians: when you play in a key with 6 sharps or flats...?

Question

as you go along the score, do you having the feeling of playing minesweeper? Like, you may step on a bomb (playing the wrong note)? As a pianist, I feel like that. Wondering whether anyone else has similar experience or is it different for other instruments?

Answer 1

Can't say that I have ever thought before of minesweeper when I play the piano with a lot of sharps/flats. Sometimes it is great when the music is all flats/sharps cos then you don't have many "white" keys to worry about. It's when there is 3-4 flats/sharps which makes me a bit apprehensive when playing in case I hit the wrong note (while sight reading especially in an exam last time) - then I guess you can say it's like what you said - minesweeper - cos I'm literally on my finger tips hoping to not hit the wrong key! You know what the real killer is for me making it a mind field? - 3-4 flats/sharps and heaps of accidentals thrown in + key change + time signature changes. Modern type music love doing that (makes your heart beat fast trying to read ahead...)

(I play the violin too, can't say the analogy works there cos you can always "slide" back into the write note if you play it wrong:P)

Answer 2

The real answer to your question is that it depends on the instrument you play. For violin and clarinet players, the answer to your question would be yes, having more sharps or flats makes it very difficult to play! However, I've played in some pretty gruesome keys and came out alive :)

It all comes with practice and knowing the keys! I'll admit, when you get more sharps/flats, some of those notes will turn into naturals which does make you confused! (or could resolve into other notes; i.e. flats/sharps)

Ex:

4 sharps -----> there's a D# -----> which we should think of Eb

Answer 3

When you hit 6, you just have to think everything is sharp or flat except F or B. I think it's easier on the piano to play 6 or 7 sharps or flats than 4. wind instruments, on the other hand...

Answer 4

they'd reflect them in different keys with extra straightforward notation. If there is a extra straightforward way, why do it the annoying way? It in simple terms confuses everybody. no person desires "some double sharps," in case you do not would desire to have them. Laziness is a distinctive function, this is each so often the choice of stupidity. artwork smarter, not harder.

Answer 5

As a trumpet player, I have had this problem, but as my playing got stronger and I started to memorize the different keys, it got a lot easier. After playing trumpet for over 17 years, you kinda get used to it I guess.

Answer 6

For piano, yes I agree. Good analogy! I play classical guitar too though, and that's not as bad...it's easier to play songs in C and G, but only when you use open strings. Otherwise, all the frets look the same.

Answer 7

Once you play the scale for a while it becomes second nature.
Remember :- practice, practice, practice C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C is as easy as C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#,B#, C#. In theory, if you taught a child to play C# Major instead of C major. C# Major would become the easy scale. The only way around it is to practice.

Answer 8

You are so smart! It does feel like that.Though I never thought of it that way.As a begginer at piano,I land on bombs all the time!!!!!!

Answer 9

Of course definitely. It feels like that taht I'm going to step on it.

Answer 10

your just feeling butterflies...

practice the piece slow, take a deep breath
before going onstage, and let loose, but with
concentration...

efficient, yet with abandon...