Gospel Organist Question: Why do Gospel Organist Play in Ab?

[Big_Al]

I noticed on the LGM organ forum, members are comfortable playing in Ab. Why?

A couple of weeks ago, I was playing with another keyboard player, and he played all his songs in Ab. When I changed to a natural key, he was losted. So, I changed back to Ab for him (Boring).



-Al

[key-wiz]

I Dont Have An Answer For That One I Love Playing In All Keys

[ChicagoFlava]

Organist play in Ab mainly because its an easy key to learn based off of the fingering and the chord placement. IT is essentially your easier key to play in as far as applying scales runs and usually (not true in all cases)  the key most gospel musicians become fluent in  first. 2nd alot of gospel tunes used to be written in Ab, although with the praise and worship boom, that as has changed abit over the years. Im  31 and from chicago, so i grew up in the era of the choir boom. and alot of choir/ church type material was written in Ab,  but now with your modern day music alot of music key structures have went towards more of your natural keys E A D etc...

[allonesound]

yea i agree ChicagoFlava. my brother plays and he loves Ab he says its easier to do a lot of stuff with he also likes Eb so he is most comfortable there. but he can tear it up in some Gb it may be weird but when we just have jamsessions he killz it

[bishopcole]

I agree with you key-wiz, all the keys are in it to win it! Bishop Cole

[rpking]

Another point is that when playing a shout, organists like to use the lowest bass note on the bass pedal (C) while using the popular shoutin' bass line.  The key of Ab works best for it.