This post originally addressed sitting in with other Muso's. Singers
are another issue. Commonly refering to the "standard" key is a simple
way of everyone being on the same page, if you will. Most good Muso's
learn to play in all keys, and some choose the keys that are easiest
to play in, based on the instrumentation.

My main reason for posting the difference from the sheet music and CD
recording, verses what is commonly accepted when playing in unfamilar
circumstances, was to find out what is more popular. Your Herbie
story is amusing.

Passion4oneluv

--- In bluesette@yahoogroups.com, "Liam" <liamalexander@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Passion, I don't really hold with a concept of 'the correct
key'.
> I used to work a lot with singers; one key would suit one singer's
> voice better than another etc. so you learned to be flexible. I
also
> find it difficult to believe Coltrane played that tune in C#m/E.
> Cm/Eb is much better suited to a Bb instrument. Perhaps there is a
> problem with the speed on the recording.
>
> Of course there are keys which are commonly used for standards but
> they're not carved in stone. I heard a story about a guy who sat
in
> with Herbie Hancock; Herbie called a tune in Eb and the guy said,
> hey, that's in F isn't it? Herbie just smiled and said ok...
>
> Regards, Liam
> http://www.liamalexander.com/music/
>
> --- In bluesette@yahoogroups.com, "passion4oneluv" <wrkit@> wrote:
> >
> > Greetings...newbee here. The other day I noticed the key shown
> > on one printed sheet music as "Cm." This is a half step down from
> the
> > CD recording of "The Best of John Coltrane," which is in C#m or
> EMaj,
> > (F# Dorian Minor) which is also shown in the book "The Music Of
> John
> > Coltrane" by Hal Leonard. My question is, which is the "REAL
DEAL"
> for
> > Equinox??? Calling off a tune in the wrong key really isn't
> cool....
> >
> > An inquiring mind needs to know,
> > Passion4oneluv
> >
>