Learning material in different keys

[procky1845]

Hi guys,

I'm currently going through the blues and boogie dvds and I just wanted to know how you all go about learning everything in all keys.

Do you tend to do the entire lesson in the original key and then revisit it in each of the other keys one by one, or do you learn each part in all keys before moving on.

I have tended to try to get through the majority before learning it in other keys however I'm finding that because I've covered so much stuff, then having to go back and redo everything in the other keys is a bit of a chore, so I'm thinking after this I may try and learn in all keys as I'm going through the lesson, chapter by chapter.

I'm also finding that for things like licks, I can transpose the majority of the lick quite easily, my main struggling point is when it comes to chords in the turnarounds and endings in various voicings i'm not familiar with. So I'm taking a bit of time out to just learn the voicing in all keys before learning the lick in all keys.

[phailes]

Here is my two cents on how I practice. If I am learning a specific lick or chord voicing or whatever, I will practice it in most keys before moving on to the next lick. What I mean by most keys is; C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A and E. I find I don't really play a lot in B or Db or Gb or even Ab.

If I am learning a tune or certain chord progression. I will learn the entire piece first, analyze it (using the I, IV, V system Willie talks about) and then try playing it in the popular keys. Hope this helps.

Also in practicing things I don't pick keys randomly, I always go up the cycle of fourths. C, F, Bb, Eb, etc. So I am burning that I to IV motion into my brain.

[procky1845]

Hi Phailes,

This sounds like a very logical way to go about things.

I agree with you about the popular keys rather than all keys. I'm only playing on my own anyway at the moment so its not a massive issue, not that I wouldnt like to get involved with others at some stage in the future. So I will likely stick to the more popular keys as well.

Although I suppose if I've learned something in 8 or 9 keys the other three or four might not be a massive stretch.

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.