A key is a component of a musical instrument, the purpose and function of which depends on the instrument. However, the term is most often used in the context of keyboard instruments, in which case it refers to the exterior part of the instrument that the player physically interacts in the process of sound production. On instruments equipped with tuning machines such as guitars or mandolins, a key is part of a tuning machine. It is a worm gear with a key shaped end used to turn a cog, which, in turn, is attached to a post which winds the string. The key is used to make pitch adjustments to a string. With other instruments, zithers and drums, for example, a key is essentially a small wrench used to turn a tuning machine or lug. On woodwind instruments such as a flute or saxophone, keys are finger operated levers used to open or close tone holes, the operation of which effectively shortens or lengthens the resonating tube of the instrument. By doing so, the player is able to physically manipulate the range of resonating sound frequencies capable of being produced by the tubes that has been altered into various “effective” lengths, based on specific key configurations. The keys on the keyboard of a pipe organ also open and close various mechanical valves. However, rather than directed influencing the paths the airflow takes within the same tube, the configuration of these valves instead determines through which of the numerous separate organ pipes, each of which tuned for a specific note, the air stream flows through. The keys of an accordion direct the air flow from manually operated bellows across various tuned vibrating reeds.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Notable quotes

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
— Anonymous; this is often misattributed to Bill Cosby, who actually cites this as a sound advice he once read elsewhere, in "Dr. Bill Cosby" in Ebony, Vol. 32, No. 8 (June 1977), p. 136
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
— Epictetus, as quoted in The Art of Living : The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, A New Interpretation by Sharon Lebell (1994)
“Prophets hold a key to the lock in a language. The mechanical image remains only an image to them. This is not a mechanical universe.”
— Frank Herbert in God Emperor of Dune (1981)
“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”
— Jiddu Krishnamurti, as quoted in Perfecting Ourselves : Coordinating Body, Mind, and Spirit (2002) by Aaron Hoopes, p. 64
“You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.”
— Rod Serling Twilight Zone opening seasons 4&5
“We receive His peace when we ask Him for it. We keep His peace by extending it to others. Those are the keys and there are no others. Spiritual wisdom is now available to everyone, disseminated to the masses as never before in world history.”
— Marianne Williamson, in Illuminata : Thoughts, Prayers, Rites of Passage (1994), Part I : Thoughts, Ch. 2 : The Luminous Mind, p. 29

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

Notable quotes

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
— Anonymous; this is often misattributed to Bill Cosby, who actually cites this as a sound advice he once read elsewhere, in "Dr. Bill Cosby" in Ebony, Vol. 32, No. 8 (June 1977), p. 136
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
— Epictetus, as quoted in The Art of Living : The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, A New Interpretation by Sharon Lebell (1994)
“Prophets hold a key to the lock in a language. The mechanical image remains only an image to them. This is not a mechanical universe.”
— Frank Herbert in God Emperor of Dune (1981)
“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”
— Jiddu Krishnamurti, as quoted in Perfecting Ourselves : Coordinating Body, Mind, and Spirit (2002) by Aaron Hoopes, p. 64
“You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.”
— Rod Serling Twilight Zone opening seasons 4&5
“We receive His peace when we ask Him for it. We keep His peace by extending it to others. Those are the keys and there are no others. Spiritual wisdom is now available to everyone, disseminated to the masses as never before in world history.”
— Marianne Williamson, in Illuminata : Thoughts, Prayers, Rites of Passage (1994), Part I : Thoughts, Ch. 2 : The Luminous Mind, p. 29

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

Not who you're looking for? Others named key: formal verification tool · South Korean singer, dance, actor and model · tonic note and chord of a musical piece · album by Son, Ambulance

A key is a component of a musical instrument, the purpose and function of which depends on the instrument. However, the term is most often used in the context of keyboard instruments, in which case it refers to the exterior part of the instrument that the player physically interacts in the process of sound production.

Overview

A key is a component of a musical instrument, the purpose and function of which depends on the instrument. However, the term is most often used in the context of keyboard instruments, in which case it refers to the exterior part of the instrument that the player physically interacts in the process of sound production. On instruments equipped with tuning machines such as guitars or mandolins, a key is part of a tuning machine. It is a worm gear with a key shaped end used to turn a cog, which, in turn, is attached to a post which winds the string. The key is used to make pitch adjustments to a string. With other instruments, zithers and drums, for example, a key is essentially a small wrench used to turn a tuning machine or lug. On woodwind instruments such as a flute or saxophone, keys are finger operated levers used to open or close tone holes, the operation of which effectively shortens or lengthens the resonating tube of the instrument. By doing so, the player is able to physically manipulate the range of resonating sound frequencies capable of being produced by the tubes that has been altered into various “effective” lengths, based on specific key configurations. The keys on the keyboard of a pipe organ also open and close various mechanical valves. However, rather than directed influencing the paths the airflow takes within the same tube, the configuration of these valves instead determines through which of the numerous separate organ pipes, each of which tuned for a specific note, the air stream flows through. The keys of an accordion direct the air flow from manually operated bellows across various tuned vibrating reeds.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).