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peculiar reason the masses, as well as quite a number of more or less educated musicians, do not fiuger or readily read music written in sharp keys. The following keys are the best to select from:
C Major (No Sharps or Flats).
G Major (One Sharp, F).
F Major (One Flat, B).
B Flat Major (Two Flats, B and E).
E Flat Major (Three Flats, B, E, and A).
For popular songs, where a soft or plaintive melody is desired, A Flat Major, (Four Flats, B. E. A and D) is useful.
Minor keys for melodies to pathetic, weird, mysterious or mock sentimental lyrics, can be used with beautiful and excellent effect. The usual Minor keys to be used in popular songs, are those which have the same signatures as the first five Major keys above mentioned, and are as follows:
A Minor (No Sharps or Flats).
E Minor (One Sharp, F).
D Minor (One Flat, B).
G Minor (Two Flats, B and E).
C Minor (Three Flats, B, E and A).
In each of the above keys, no matter which is used, the experienced composer of popular songs always keeps the melody within the accepted limited range, as already indicated. Occasionally, as in a big catchy march number, where a rousing climax is desired, an F or F Sharp above, is admissible, but if nothing is lost by avoiding such notes, so much the better.
Simplicity of accompaniment, with pretty harmonies, is a golden rule. Many an otherwise excellent popular song has been a failure because the accompaniment was too difficult for the majority to play easily. Remember, the patron
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