Something about the American National Anthem

[Cbsteffen]

I once found out that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was originally written in G Major, so why is it usually played and/or sung in A Flat or B Flat? If you don’t know, don’t be afraid to guess.

[hitch0403]

CB there are always key changes in songs.Whoever arranges them might feel they might be easier to play or sing that way.

Im a musician and have sung in a band for a longtime.We might do a song that was written in a key that might be easier to play or sing in a different key.Its very common to do that.

[NRAJOE]

Probably going against the Queen/England or something...think it was originally in the same tune as God save the Queen? 

[braggin]

Maybe it has something to do with the singing voice? Maybe G-major is hard to sing.

[Cbsteffen]

Probably going against the Queen/England or something...think it was originally in the same tune as God save the Queen? 

No. “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)” has the same melody as “God Save the Queen.” The melody for “The Star-Spangled Banner” came from “To Anacreon in Heaven.”