Why is Music Written in Different Keys?

There are definitely times when a song sounds “better” in one key than another. The primary reason this is so is when the key fits the “natural” range of a singer or instrument. Transposed down a fifth into a new key, the song would sound much better when sung by a male singer. I can think of three ways where it makes a difference what key you play a song in.

1. If you are singing the song or are accompanying a singer, the song should be in the key that will best exploit the singer’s vocal range. Finding the best key is a matter of knowing the singer’s voice and experimenting with various keys.
2. If you are playing in conjunction with certain instruments, you’ll find that some instruments sound better in certain keys. For example, stringed instruments are tuned in sharp keys. Popular keys in rock music include G, D, A and E, because of the way guitars are tuned. Jazz groups that feature Bb trumpets and Bb tenor saxes or Eb alto saxes, use more flat keys—F, Bb, Eb, Ab and Db are common.
3. Finally, certain keys feel better (or worse) to different musicians, depending on both the mechanics of the instrument and on the personal associations that the key has with the musician. Stevie Wonder (who is blind, of course) often plays and writes in unusual keys. E flat minor is one of his favourites, as is the key of B major. I think that he simply likes the way the piano feels in those keys. As a matter of fact, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” was written and recorded by Wonder in the key of B major. Virtually everyone else plays that tune in C. It seems to have made no difference.

Other than the factors above, a song is the same song, no matter what key it’s played in. The sheet music for “Over the Rainbow” is almost always written in E flat. Judy Garland sang it in A-flat. Dave Brubeck made it part of his repertoire in the key of F. No matter the key, the song is still “Over the Rainbow.”

Conclusion

Yes, any song can be played on any scale. Often people will change the key of a song so that it will fit a particular singer’s voice better. For music for solo voice, the key is often changed to a different key to suit the voice range of the singer.

Changing the key of a song can definitely make a song sound better or worse depending on the change key.