What key to play "Riders of the Storm" by the Doors

[Steevo]

Here is a novice question. I've been practicing "Riders of the Storm" by The
Doors from sheet music, ( I play keyboards ). The key signature is G, (F#),
though I feel this is actually the relative minor Em. My big question, C is
sharpened through out the song. Why did'nt they just write the key signature
as D, (F#, C#)?

Also, how can you tell if the key is intended as the Major or the relative
minor. G vs Em in this case.

Thanks, Steve

[Bob Pease]

Post by Steevo
Here is a novice question. I've been practicing "Riders of the Storm" by The
Doors from sheet music, ( I play keyboards ). The key signature is G, (F#),
though I feel this is actually the relative minor Em. My big question, C is
sharpened through out the song. Why did'nt they just write the key signature
as D, (F#, C#)?
Also, how can you tell if the key is intended as the Major or the relative
minor. G vs Em in this case.
Thanks, Steve

My take is the scale used is Em Doric.
this is a diatonic scale in the key of D.

If C is usually sharped as an accidental, it is pedantic for them not to
have signed it in D
Maybe the players knew it was a "Funny" E Minor key feeling, but were
accustomed to thinking of E Minor as one sharp, no matter what.

Bob Pease


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[slyraymond]

Post by Steevo
Here is a novice question. I've been practicing "Riders of the Storm" by
The Doors from sheet music, ( I play keyboards ). The key signature is G,
(F#), though I feel this is actually the relative minor Em.

Major keys and relative minor keys share the same written key signature.
That's why they're related.

Post by Steevo
My big
question, C is sharpened through out the song. Why did'nt they just write
the key signature as D, (F#, C#)?

Excellent question.

Because the accepted tradition is to notate pieces as either major or
natural minor. The C-sharp implies E dorian, which is in fact a mode of D
major, as you suggested, but my guess is that publishers choose to stick to
the natural minor key to avoid confusion when first glancing at the key
signature.

Post by Steevo
Also, how can you tell if the key is intended as the Major or the relative
minor. G vs Em in this case.

Listen. Does it sound like E minor or G major? That's basically how you
tell. If you want to be able to tell by simply looking at the score, then
there are a few clues:

1. Chord roots. Are there a lot of E roots, especially at the ends of
phrases?
2. Accidentals. D# would tip you off to the presence of the V chord in E
minor. C# would suggest the dorian mode. You also see that raised sixth
in blues progressions (because of the IV chord).
3. Progressions. When chords move in fourths, where do they go? From D to
G? From B to E? From A to E? From D to C to G? From Am to D to G? you
get the picture. There are a lot of cliche chord progressions. You'll
learn to spot them.

Post by Steevo
Thanks, Steve

Don't mention it.