Replies

I was at a Denver Nuggets home game in the 70s, and the management discovered that Charley was in the audience that day. So they asked him to sing the National Anthem. This was back in the days when the musical moments at sports events were provided by organists.

But this organist was incompetent, and probably had only played the Anthem as a solo. She started off in a key that was so high that Charley quickly realized that he'd never reach the high notes once they got to the section starting with: "and the rocket's red glare..."

So he switched to a lower key. Any competent organist would immediately transpose down to match the singer's key. But as I said, this organist was either incompetent or deaf or malicious, and did not change the key.

So the entire rest of the National Anthem was performed in two different keys simultaneously. If you've ever been "treated" to this phenomenon, you would know it's like listening to fingernails on a slate chalkboard.

.... or at least to anyone with any kind of musical sense / appreciation. Because I looked around me and didn't notice any pained expressions nearby, so I had to wonder about the other fans.

I really felt sorry for Mr. Pride. But hey, at least there wasn't any internet, and so no viral "Fail" videos to widely embarrass him.

R. I. P. Charley.

She started off in a key that was so high

Interesting.

I believe the "right" key, and the key I believe it is almost always played in, is B-flat major. Probably makes it easier for a trumpet to play.

Any other key just doesn't sound natural (at least to me).