Sharp keys

[Austin]

I recently made an arrangement of an old spiritual and I chose the key of E major. My teacher says I should transpose it to C or G, but I find E major sits better within the range that I'm trying to work with. I don't know if I should change it or leave it. What would everyone here do?

[Jody Stecher]

You should do it in all three keys. Why chose? More importantly than choice of key you should play it with a better sense of timing so that the piece is not aurally incomprehensible as it currently is. Bring out the melody. Make the banjo sing the words. 

[Austin]

I agree! One day I'll actually get off the ground as a musician and to be able to actually play in time, but I don't think that day is today sadly. Going to take a lot more work.

Jody Stecher said:

You should do it in all three keys. Why chose? More importantly than choice of key you should play it with a better sense of timing so that the piece is not aurally incomprehensible as it currently is. Bring out the melody. Make the banjo sing the words.