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What Key do you generally start with and why? Mine seems to be 'A' all the way. I've no Idea why but someone in the past said I have perfect C?

Of course it doesn't matter much if your not good with 'C' so what is your Key?

I do my best to play in the key of the song. Don't always work out all that well.
Good question I'll have to peruse the song book and see which key is most prominent.

We do a lot of songs in E, A & G. I probably sing the best in G or F#. But it really doesn't matter what key the song is in. If the lead singer is having trouble with a particular song try changing the key it's in. Or if one of the instrumentalists is having trouble change the key. If you're doing a cover please don't consider it sacrilige to change keys. There's nothing worse than doing a cover and the singer sounds like Alfalfa from The Little Rascals. Experiment until it sounds right regardless of the key.

It depends on the cover though. Sure you can do Stormy Monday in G, G flat or G sharp. But if you try to do a Zeppelin song and change the key be prepared for negative reactions.

Thanks folks. Sorry I should have stated using your own material but there are some good answers here which I agree with too when playing classics.

That to me tells a story too. Most folks probably know what they key is when listening without knowing why perhaps? Interesting that innit. ..

My originals go from A to C to G, D, C#, E, B, Bb, in major & minors. Pretty much anything I can sing in. (Not that I have a great range or anything.) I used to try to write in a new key occasionally, just to do it. Break out the Capo! LOL

E, G, D mainly I guess.

But try F#
F# equals hit for some reason.

Speaking of keys, did you know that E flat has a heroic or regal sound to it? This is why Beethoven choose this key for his "Eroica" symphony. Also Chopin's Nocturne No.2 is in that key. And people say D minor is the saddest of all keys.

If you want to become a better composer, then - when you compose a new song, - start it a key you never use.
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I think most folks start songs in a key in which they're comfortable with.
If one always does what one is comfortable with, then one never progresses.
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Did you just write a song in Am?
Transpose it to Bm - slide everything up 2 frets; and then see which chords you can play open.
Too hard?
Ok, then raise or lower it 5 frets - that is - jump a string or 2; start in Em or Dm . . .
Did you write a song in "E?"
Raise to "A."
Too easy? Raise it to G, or "A flat."
And DON'T rely on a capo, or you're taking shortcuts in your self-education.
You can play and sing any song, in any key, without a capo.
If you always play a certain song with a capo on the same fret - transpose the song to that key, instead; it doesn't take long.
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Every musician should learn how to transpose a song.

Can't remember where I heard it, probably some movie, but one response I heard somewhere is:

"I play in the key of F*ck!"

i play the sets in d# or eflat, keep another guitar tuned in regular tunning. sometimes a guest sits in and they will work in reg. tunning. It helps with the voice, and i have sat in on standard sets and so far no problems.

Eb, G + B, mostly..

Having listened to what I am writing properly (NEW) I'll probably take that back? It's all over the place.

That of course is because I'm not writing a film score, a song for a singer, not writing to be famous etc, etc. i.e. I don't have a fluke about what I am doing and I LIKE THAT,

All keys

All keys

I'm with Ian!

however,

When I was playing with a sax man, we played a lot out of B Flat and F, (it seems to make it easier on them there horn blowers!)

I personally like the sound of progressions with a E minor and B minor in them, (especially to accompany sweet and somber Celtic style melodies)

I like to blow blues with a D harp, draw style, so in that instance, the band plays in A.

Otherwise, the deciding factor as to keys often depends on the ability of the singer (me or anybody else) to best preform the song. I became proficient at transposing songs to alternate keys back in the 60's when I played with a vocalist with a good voice, but limited range.

HJ