lincoln@eosp1.UUCP (Dick Lincoln) (05/10/84)
> On the piano, there is another difference - C# is MUCH easier to play > in than is C. This is due to the fact that human fingers can play the > keyboard better when the black and white keys are used in roughly > equal proportions. There are very few virtuoso piano pieces written > in C-major (A-minor), and the two that come to mind spend a lot of > time in (other) related keys. At this level, the necessity to wade > through seven sharps is not a problem.... > Tom Roberts I agree with your reasoning but not your conclusion. In my field of piano playing (jazz/show) C# pieces are almost always written instead in Db (5 b's). Because of the repeating reference to the root triad, often with an added Bb 6th note, in "tonal" music, the black and white keys do not alternate almost equally in 5b's - much more like that in 3b's (Eb Major - C minor) or 4b's (Ab Major - F minor). 5b's generally requires more black than white key "strokes". There is a significantly different leverage on the keyboard when playing mostly black keys on acoustical piano as opposed to white keys, unless you have enormous hands. It takes significantly more hand strength to play with control in the "black note" keys, because you play with your hands "moved in" toward the flash board. In C Major you can play much farther "out" on the keyboard, and thus gain much more leverage. Once you make the necessary adjustments and practice, 5-and-more-b's are marvelous keys to play in, particularly because of their unique mood which you correctly state is a *real* phenomenon even in the tempered scale. However, I can't agree that C# Major is easier to play in than C Major - different, but not easier.