Will the Circle be......

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

I am finally learning the standard “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”.

What key did the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band do it in? Is that A?

G seems to be a common key for this song, but A can be more easily transposed on the mandolin (for future versatility)?

G also seems to be the key of choice for old time, what keys are classic BG versions in?

Your thoughts and opinion and are appreciated.

[brian2]

My personal opinion is that it doesn't matter what key a song was first done it. What matters is what sounds best.

[8STRINGR]

To each, there own (key preference). I always loved that NGDB project. I believe it's played in "A". I keep hearing Skaggs and Roy Acuff singing the lead vocals of that tune.

Any chord is good. I think the "higher" of key you go, the "brighter" the tune. But not TOO HIGH to the point that it strains the tenor vocals.

I've played "I'll Fly Away" in "G" but help lay down tracks of the same song in the Key of "A". Sounded better to me. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif # # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[RobP]

That album is one of my favorites too. #Maybelle talks specifically about the Circle key in some of the chatter -- I think she says that since everyone is going to sing they will choose the key that suits everone. #I usually play it in G or A, but it does depend on who else is singing. #As a tenor, higher is usually better for me

That is one of those more easily-transposed melodies that would be good to figure out in many keys.

Rob

[Moose]

Well, I usually say "make it easy on yourself".. hee..., hee... Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Jim Yates]

brian2 says,"My personal opinion is that it doesn't matter what key a song was first done it. What matters is what sounds best." and for songs, I agree with him. I'd always let the singer(s) choose the key for a song.
Now for fiddle tunes, in a jam, there are certain keys that are traditional and it would not be cool to start SOLDIER'S JOY in A or G in a jam. If, however, someone were to say,"Hey, let's try SOLDIER'S JOY in A or Bb or... and everyone else said,"Okay," then it might be fun. Also if a group decided to play a tune in a non-traditional key for a performance, who cares.
Have you ever heard the recording of Charlie Christian playing BLUES IN B? It starts with someone saying,"Hey Charlie, let's play the blues. Let's play the blues in B." Part way through the song you can hear someone(probably a horn player) say,"What the hell's he playin' in B for?"