Stevie Wonder question

[MartyMcFly3]

How come Stevie Wonder did most of his songs in "off" keys? The "standard" keys of most songs are based off either E, A, D, G and Bb (blues)... Most of stevie's hit songs revolve around starting key of B, Eb, F# etc... (few exceptions would be Ebony and Ivory, For Once in My Life, Ribbon in the Sky)

Originally I thought this is because he was blind, having to deal with more black keys which are easier to distinguish on a piano than the white keys. However, Ray Charles used the "standard" keys for most of his songs.

Just something I noticed while playing bass, and felt like sharing. Dont mind me...

 

[sixone]

'cause he wanted to?

 

[olds]

Stevie told me he just felt better singing that way.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: sixone
'cause he wanted to?

well obviously... Like i said, it was just something I noticed while playing.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3
Originally I thought this is because he was blind, having to deal with more black keys which are easier to distinguish on a piano than the white keys. However, Ray Charles used the "standard" keys for most of his songs.

Maybe Ray Charles was a better blind pianist than Stevie Wonder and Stevie Wonder does it for the exact reason you're suggesting.

 

[FoBoT]

lets ask Stevie

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3
Originally I thought this is because he was blind, having to deal with more black keys which are easier to distinguish on a piano than the white keys. However, Ray Charles used the "standard" keys for most of his songs.

Maybe Ray Charles was a better blind pianist than Stevie Wonder and Stevie Wonder does it for the exact reason you're suggesting.

Either way they are both amazing players/songwriters.