Star Spangled Banner...

[dopey]

I am playing it for our jr high homecoming game, by myself, this thursday, pregame.

I am just wondering, is there a standard key this is played in? I have a arrangement in Ab Major, but I was just wondering if there was another key I should play it in? I noticed most of the times we play it in highschool marching band its in Bb major, which im guessin is just to make it "easier" on us highschool kids

Also if anyone has a arrangement, I wouldnt' mind seeing. the one I have is pretty basic/simple.. but then again how much can you really change it..

just mainly wondering about the key, since I have another one in I believe..G major..Im thinkin the Ab major is a better choice then G.. or should I be playing it in even a different key? or does it matter?

Thanks,

Jacob

[Chuck(G)]

I am just wondering, is there a standard key this is played in? I have a arrangement in Ab Major, but I was just wondering if there was another key I should play it in?

If folks will be singing along, Ab or G is a friendlier key for most than Bb. If you're playing it and not expecting a singalong or a solo vocalist, play it in whichever key you sound the best.

[dopey]

no one will be with me, singing or on instrument.. so its pretty much just me.. that is unless i just bomb it:shock: .. then I may start singing

Thanks tho, I am doing this to help ease my nerves before college auditons and such... although it didnt' hit me this week was homecoming until after I made arrangements.. o well.. just. dont' screw up:D

[Art Hovey]

Play it in whatever key works best for you. (Try them all in your woodshed before you decide)

Although G is easier for most singers and many band arrangements, are in Bb, the official key is Ab. My father claimed that the act of congress which made it our national anthem stipulated that it should be played in Ab. When big-headed singers wanted his school band to accompany them in other keys he used that as the basis for his refusal.

I have never done the research to verify that claim, but it must be in print somewhere. -Anybody have access to the congressional record? I think it was 1931.

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[Doug@GT]

I have never done the research to verify that claim, but it must be in print somewhere. -Anybody have access to the congressional record? I think it was 1931.

36 USC Sec. 301 01/22/02

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle I - Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies

Part A - Observances and Ceremonies

CHAPTER 3 - NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, FLORAL EMBLEM, AND MARCH

-HEAD-

Sec. 301. National anthem

-STATUTE-

(a) Designation. - The composition consisting of the words and

music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.

(b) Conduct During Playing. - During a rendition of the national

anthem -

(1) when the flag is displayed -

(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at

attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;

(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with

their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder,

the hand being over the heart; and

(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at

the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until

the last note; and

(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face

toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the

flag were displayed.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1263.)

-MISC1-

Historical and Revision Notes

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at

Large)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

301(a) 36:170. Mar. 3, 1931, ch.

436, 46 Stat. 1508.

301(b) 36:171. June 22, 1942, ch.

435, Sec. 6, 56

Stat. 380; Dec. 22,

1942, ch. 806, Sec.

6, 56 Stat. 1077;

July 7, 1976, Pub.

L. 94-344, Sec.

1(18), 90 Stat.

812.

-------------------------------

[Chuck(G)]

Taking a quick peek throught he 19th century music online in the LIbrary of Congress collection, I find SSB in the following keys:

D (Riziha, 1850 piano)
C (Selle, 1854 piano)
C (Burgmuller, 1853 piano)
C (Grobe, 1854 piano)
Bb (anon. 1854 piano+voice)
Bb (anon. 1861 piano+voice)
Bb (anon. 1861 piano+voice)
C (anon. 1890 Bromo-Seltzer piano+voice)
Eb (G. W. E. Friedrich band version 1853)
Eb (1861 piano)
Bb (Walter Hewitt's 1884 organ)
C (Bellak 1885 organ)
C (Gooch 1880 piano)
C (Mack 1878 piano)
F (Winner, 1876)
Eb ( Port Royal Band Book, No. 41, 1864)
C (First printed version of SSB, 1814)

However, after the adoption of the SSB in 1931, the US War Department and the Music Supervisors National Conference met in 1942 and declared that the key to be used was Bb, but that this was too high for most people to sing, so Ab was an acceptable alternative.

See this article about a man's crusade to get the key lowered to G:

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/07 ... 7_3_04.txt

[Phil Dawson]

There is no official version of the SSB. Ain't it wonderful. So anything you want to do is fair game including a bit of improv on the melody if you wish. That said respect for the SSB should aways be maintained.
Good luck, Phil