Karaoke Forums

The question was asked in another thread whether any of us change keys once a song has begun.  

I only change a key in the middle of a song if
   1) It would be really troublesome for the singer if I didn't
                                -and-
   2) I will only change the key if I can anticipate a "comfortable" spot to do it at (remember, it is not unusual for songs to change keys in the middle).  Most typically a good point to change keys is at the beginning of an instrumental break

I will only change the key mid song IF the singer asks for it.  I use to assume they were struggling & would change the key for them & even restart the song & they got upset, so now it's on a ask for it basis - even if they are struggling.

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I'm with lonnie on this one. I only do it if asked to, otherwise they continue to struggle.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Changing the key for a singer is a must.   No professional would ever think about singing a song that was "out" of their range.  

First question would be WHY?

Second question would be who wants to sound bad, like they can't sing and their voice is cracking?


If it takes the whole song until they finally find the right key, i do it.   Then if they want to sing the song in its entirety, i'll play it again.    

Showing people that you care and want them and everyone to sound their best, is why people love to come to your karaoke.

If i know the singer and know a song is out of their range I'll tell them that it needs to be lowered, before i start it.    

If i don't know the singer, i will ask them if they have ever done this song before.   And i tell them why.     Some times they want it unchanged, sometimes they want it lowered and thank me for it.  

The better i can make everyone sound the more enjoyable it will be for them, me and everyone listening.

I hate to hear someone struggling to sing a song that is totally out of their reach.   For what good reason?

Some people think they "have" to sing it as it was written.

Where did anyone ever come up with that idea.    "Can't be a man if he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me..."   "And has to sing the song in its original key..."

Yeah sound like a jerk and rip up your vocal chords to be a man.   It's why we are all here.    Ohhh you macho thing you...   Hurt our ears some more.

This is one of those questions that has no universally correct answer.

Realistically, the answer is dependent upon who the singer is.  I would be more reluctant to change a key for a singer I am not familiar with than I would be for a regular (for many different reasons).  That's not to say, though, that I wouldn't change the key for a "newbie" to my show.

Generally speaking, I am inclined to change a key (if I can) as quickly as I realize that the rendition is really going to go badly.  If the results will be "so-so", I may just leave things alone.  Plenty of times I've sang just "so-so", on key.  But if the results will be really bad, I'll take my chances that more people will be grateful vs those who will be annoyed for my changing keys.

And, I feel compelled to say that changing keys is an art.  Often people ask for the key to be lowered when, in actuality, it needs to be raised.  Not everyone coming up to sing is experienced with the song they have requested.  If they KNOW the original is out of range for them, but have never sang it, people will automatically tell you to lower the key.  If I am not familiar with a singer, I have no choice but to do what they ask!  So, singers can mess themselves up by asking for the key to be lowered!

As a singer I will never be able to handle the change of key mid-song; I will go off key after that.
As KJ I don't do it; should there be a request to change key I just restart the song.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott