Tarot in different keys

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	20 Jul 2003
I just bought my first (adult lifetime) harmonica, to see if I could make single notes with it, instead of two/three note chords. (And I already sometimes can.) Because of the design of a harmonica, some holes in the harmonica are harder to make single notes with than other holes. It's also interesting to note that harmonicas (which is also the case with some other instruments) are available in different musical keys -- in this case, 12 different keys. A harmonica in the key of C ("Do" for you Europeans) will not work in playing with a group of other musicians if they want to play in the key of F ("Sol"); you would need a harmonica in the key of B flat, played in second position. The foregoing is analogous with tarot decks. Sometimes you find that a different deck is needed for a given purpose: Like harmonicas in different keys, one deck may be best for relationships readings, while another deck may be best for meditative purposes. Like trying to make single notes, it takes time to learn your deck and how to use it, and it is easier for some people than for other people; it doesn't happen right away. Like differences as between harmonica holes, you may find that some parts of the tarot deck are harder for you: it may be the court cards, the major arcana, or perhaps the pip cards or Aces.

truthsayer	20 Jul 2003
i can't remember what tarot book i've seen this in but major arcana cards were given musical keys. i'm drawing a blank right now but i'll post if i figure out which one.

Rusty Neon	20 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer i can't remember what tarot book i've seen this in but major arcana cards were given musical keys. i'm drawing a blank right now but i'll post if i figure out which one. truthsayer ... The assignment of musical notes to tarot cards is outside the scope of my thread, so I'm starting a new thread about Tarot and Musical Notes with your question and a response from me.

Astraea	20 Jul 2003
That is a very useful analogy, Rusty Neon. Thank you!

Ruby7	20 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon Like differences as between harmonica holes, you may find that some parts of the tarot deck are harder for you: it may be the court cards, the major arcana, or perhaps the pip cards or Aces. I like your analogy Rusty Neon. The court cards AND the Aces are major stumbling blocks for me, mainly because my mind is closed when I see those cards. For me this is the same as when I have tunes I have trouble playing on my fiddle, and usually it's because I don't actually like that particular tune and don't practice it for that reason:). If I were to actually practice the tune, in other words--get to know the tune-- then I might actually like it ( and play it well) instead of having a block whenever I have to play that tune. So I think that what I have to do is get to know the court cards and aces instead of just ignoring them and thinking that I don't like them, when really i just haven't taken the time to really get to know them :) Thanks for the interesting post, it has helped me, Ruby7

Le_Corsair	20 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer i can't remember what tarot book i've seen this in but major arcana cards were given musical keys. i'm drawing a blank right now but i'll post if i figure out which one. It may be in other books, but I found it in Tarot For Dummies by Amber Jayanti. The musical correspondences are, for those without the book, as follows: Fool = E Magician = E High Priestess = G# Empress = F# Emperor = middle C Hierophant = C# Lovers = D Chariot = D# Strength = E Hermit = F Wheel of Fortune = A# Justice = F# Hanged Man = G# Death = G Temperance = G# Devil = A Tower = middle C Star = A Moon = B Sun = D Judgement = middle C World = A Bob :THERM

Rusty Neon	20 Jul 2003
Le Corsair ... As noted in my second post to this thread, the interesting discussion of assignments of Musical Notes to tarot cards is __outside___ the scope of this present thread. Because I didn't want to confuse this current thread, I have, in response to truthsay's post, started a new thread called Tarot Cards and Musical Notes. People ... You can find that new thread on Tarot Cards and Musical Notes at: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=16038 Moderators ... Please move Le Corsair's post to that other thread, where it would be helpful to that thread's discussion.

Ruby7	20 Jul 2003
Hi Le_Corsair, did the book explain why certain notes were assigned to each card, e.g. why is E assigned to the Fool and the Magician. I'm very interested to know about this, thanks, Ruby7 Sorry Rusty Neon, just realized this belongs in other thread also, I tried to delete it but wasn't allowed.:(

Le_Corsair	20 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Ruby7 Hi Le_Corsair, did the book explain why certain notes were assigned to each card, e.g. why is E assigned to the Fool and the Magician. I'm very interested to know about this, thanks, Ruby7 Sorry Rusty Neon, just realized this belongs in other thread also, I tried to delete it but wasn't allowed.:( I'll answer it there. Bob :THERM

Umbrae	20 Jul 2003
In playing the mouth harp, most folks play ‘straight-key’; few progress to playing ‘cross-key’. When you learn both styles, you realize that you need half as many harps as you origionally thought. Decks are flexible, some spend their whole lives with one deck – no need to move beyond what works. Some folks believe that to buy more, is to solve problems. They buy one deck for this, one deck for that. Buy about six Meisterklasse, you’re set for life, once you learn them. Problem with harps, you can only learn by playing…sorta like Tarot?

Rusty Neon	20 Jul 2003
For blues harmonica, I understand that cross-harp position is preferred for the purposes of doing bends, so one harp won't necessarily do for two keys. Although you may not need all 12 keys of harps, as blues musicians don't necessarily play in all 12. In terms of tarot analogy, this suggests that if you use tarot cards for specific purposes and in specific circumstances, you may need more decks. Hurray! :) Example: If you do Renaissance Fairs, you may need more than one Celtic themed deck.

truthsayer	20 Jul 2003
the thread on musical notes relating to tarot cards can be found at talking about tarot or the following addy: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16038

The Tarot in different keys thread was originally posted on 20 Jul 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.