What Key?

This is a really important question, right?

We sure want to make sure, for example, that all of the instrumentalists are playing in the same key. That makes it important.

But there are a couple of other things I've learned through the years that I wonder if all of y'all consider too.

First, keys have personality. Seriously.

B major is way brighter and happier than it's cousin, Bb major. Bb tends to be sort of warm and serious. In general, the more sharps, the brighter. The more flats, the darker. So if the text/feel of a song is to supposed to be energetic and happy, it probably ought to be in sharps, not flats. Conversely, if it is to be peaceful and tender, it probably ought to have a couple of flats or more. So to take a song up a half-step or down a half-step might make it easier for a guitar player, trumpet player or singer, but it also has implications for how the song communicates the text.

Second, the range of a song--which is determined by its key--can affect how engaged the congregation is. I hear of more and more worship teams who choose a key based on who is leading it. That is a significant consideration, to be sure. But if we choose keys based on how good one person sounds leading rather than how well dozens or hundreds (or thousands!) of people can sing, we've mixed up the priority of gathering as a faith community for worship.

Most people won't sing above an E (top of the treble clef), at least not often. So if there is a song that spend much time that high or higher, you are choosing to leave out people in your congregation. More people can sing lower, of course, but it is awfully difficult to sing loudly in the lower part of our voice. So if you want people to be able to sing loudly, don't choose a key that is low enough to be led well but not high enough to be sung out by the congregation.

If that doesn't make sense, let me know. I'd love to be able to say it better.

And if you disagree, great! I'd love to read your thoughts!