[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead ¤ milky moon ¤ • View topic - Key changes
I've noticed a gradual shift of preferred key signatures in JNew's songs. Most of the songs on MEM are in C-flat, Ys is a mixture, and HOOM has a ton of songs in D (I haven't even checked them all, but consistent enough that it wouldn't surprise me if more songs were in that key). Take a look:
Sprout & the Bean, Book of Right-On, Sadie, Cassiopeia, Erin, What We Have Known, and Clam Crab Cockle Cowrie are all in C-flat.
Have One On Me, Baby Birch, In California, Does Not Suffice, Soft As Chalk - these are the only ones I've checked, but I wouldn't be surprised if more from HOOM are in D as well (Inflammatory Writ and This Side of the Blue are as well, but I think that's unrelated).
So I wonder if THAT's why her voice sounds different, aside from the nodes and other modifications?
taking a look at the chords thread (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=296) it would appear that the HOOM songs doublewuzzy named are the only songs in D! for the most part, Joanna seems to mix it up between D, C and F (as well as their relative minors). and to be fair, "in california" begins in C Major. (as a sidenote, I think the key changes in this song are absolutely genius and they segue into each other via the vocal melody so beautifully.)
I think perhaps the transition in key signatures is more of a response to Joanna's vocal changes; on MEM, she was using copious amounts of chest voice and pushing her voice to the absolute limit. but what with the nodes and "modifications", she sings a bit more controlled and subdued now -- so my guess is she probably writes in whatever key suits her current voice best, and not so much the other way around.
however, there is one song in C-flat / A-flat minor (or B / G# minor) on HOOM: "go long"!
And that's why the harp part in Go Long is so sparkly. None of the strings are being pinched by the pedal disks when the harp is in C-flat, so the notes are so lovely and resonant.
Which is also why I think so many songs on MEM are in C-flat - since it's the "natural" key pedal harps are in. OI'm pretty sure Go Long is in G-sharp minor (which is the same as A-flat minor although A-flat minor technically doesn't exist - not so sure about it being in C-flat, though; I don't recall a key change?).
It is interesting to note, also, that a lot of the HOOM songs are on piano and, consequently, in D major - as are the three piano tracks from MEM (discounting Peach Plum Pear). Which makes me wonder if there's something about that key that she prefers physically?
Man, still confused. To me, C-flat vs. B just seems like a choice of what you call it, but maybe if I knew anything about pedal harp it would suddenly make sense. I always feel like I can never truly understand an instrument unless I actually try to play it. So I guess it's time to get some harp lessons. haha Anyways, interesting what you said about the voice. It makes sense, though, as I've noticed a number of singers who sound very different in their earlier career than they do later. Usually I would expect the voice to deepen, however, rather than get higher. But I think you're right on about Joanna's voice--she has learned to use her head voice rather than hollering, or to use one of her words, ululating the high notes out.
You don't really have to explain it all unless you really want to. I'm a visual and/or kinesthetic learner, so I doubt it would make sense to me unless I actually played a harp. I play oboe and guitar...and a little bit of piano...and an even littler bit of cello. I took a couple years of composition in college and wrote some pretty godawful string parts. Then I took cello lessons for about a year (I'd always wanted to play cello since forever, but I had to stop because it was killing my wrist ) and it suddenly made sense to me why my string parts weren't working.
It'll drive me nuts until I make it really clear, so I'll keep trying. Maybe fetch your oboe, guitar, and cello to try these out
You know how when you tune a guitar, you play two strings at a time, pressing down on one string so that it plays the same note as the unpressed string next to it? Or if you tune a cello, you press down on one string so that it plays the same pitch as an open string next to it? They may sound the same pitch, but they aren't the same strings, correct? The open string has a lot more resonance than the string you're pressing down, even though they are playing the same note.
If you're playing the oboe, and you see a C-flat in the music, the fingering that you use to play that note is the same fingering you would use to play a B-natural - the two notes are written differently, but sound the same, and because of how an oboe is built, you can only use one fingering for it.
Now let's say you are playing guitar, and you see an B in the music. You could play it on the open B string, or you could fret the G string, like if you're tuning it. You have two ways you could play the note B. If you saw a C-flat, which is the same sound as B, you would still have two choices - the open B string or the fretted G string.
The harp is sort of like the guitar: if you see a B, you could pluck a B string, or you could pluck a C-flat string and get the same sounding pitch.
An oboist and a guitarist will see a C-flat and their mind will say "Oh, that's a B." The oboist has one way to play it, the guitarist has two, but both will think of it as a B and play a B.
Harpists DON'T think like that. If they see a B, they will always play it on a B string. If they see a C-flat, they will always play it on the C-flat string.
This is where it gets silly: there are no flat or sharp strings on the harp. That's how it is like the white keys of a piano - the white keys are natural notes, no flats or sharps. To get a flat or a sharp on harp, the harpist will move a foot pedal, which will change the tension on the string - kind of like how you press a guitar or cello string to change the note. To get a C-flat, they have to move the pedal that corresponds to all C strings.
Remember how I said on the guitar you could play a B on the B string, or you could fret the G string? Playing B on the B string - an "open string" because you aren't pressing it at all - will sound more resonant than if you played B by fretting the G string. Pressing on a string "closes" it so it loses resonance.
On a harp, if you see the key signature of C-flat, you'll move the pedals into the position that corresponds to "all strings flat" since all the notes in the key of C-flat are flat. If a harpist sees the key of B major, that indicates a different pedal configuration. On harp, the key of C-flat uses all open strings with no tension. The key of B puts tension on all of the strings. Harpists don't think of B and C-flat as the same note because they aren't (to a harpist).
A lot of Joanna's early music is in C-flat because that is the most resonant key of the harp (all open strings). When I made the sheet music, I put it in C-flat because that is really what she played it in, based on how harps are made and played. The harp version of Sprout & the Bean HAS to be in C-flat because that is the key that it is in. My piano version of Sprout & the Bean could be in B because, to a pianist, B is the same key as C-flat, and it's easier for a pianist to think "key of B" than "key of C-flat." All a harpist has to do is set the pedals and then forget about it - but the choice of key HAS to be very specific and totally accurate.
Sprout & the Bean for piano: could be written in C-flat or B - a pianist will play it the same way, and one key is easier to think in
Sprout & the Bean for harp: MUST be in C-flat - a harpist doesn't think of C-flat and B as the same note, and if the song is written in B major, it totally changes the strings you play it on.
ah forgot to mention that my range on best days is about d below middle c to d two octaves above, though my clear voice is about d above middle c to the usual casual sop limit of top b natural. i sing barbershop (in part of my singing life, i mean!) so i do use that lower register and link it to the middle/high in one session, but i still struggle to get a strong sound below about e natural (bass stave). anyway! i contain multitudes, that's a bit more to explain why the 'feel' within the range is so tricky for me.