Finding your key

[Tsfender]

I have lately developed a desire to sing, and I was wondering if anyone has some tips on how to find your natural key. Thanks guys

[manchero]

I'm interested in this as well. Bumped and subscribed.

[MalcolmAmos]

What you are looking for is the key that you can hit all the high notes and also grab all the low notes as well.

I had a pretty good idea that D was going to be my key as I was singing backup and playing rhythm guitar in a Country band -- and the songs in D just felt right.

So. I got the capo out and played the same song singing and moving the capo up and down and sure enough D is my key.

Most guys sing in G or D - some like C.
Most gals sing in A or G
Johnny Cash's bass voice liked E.

I think you will find that some songs you will like to sing them in say D, but, another song you will like G better. Most of us end up singing in a couple of keys. The song dictates which is right. Our lead vocalist sings in G, C and sometime in A. He has been known to lean over and say; "Going to "X", this is too high".

Now we can sing in any key, but, to hit all the highs and grab all the lows each of us has a specific key we prefer. In church you song in whatever key the song is being played in, however, if you were to have a solo in that song you would rather have it in YOUR key.

Capo let me find for sure what my key is. Good luck on the bass - the register is too low IMHO to figure all this out accompanying yourself on the bass.

Have fun.

[Rockmusician]

My problem is that I can harmonize well and have been told that I have a good voice. However, I have a hard time finding the correct notes to sing when I am the only one singing. If I sing with a cd or while harmonizing with other singers, I am fine. I have noticed that I have a very hard time singing at all if I am tired and my stamina when it comes to singing is not very good.

[Tsfender]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

What you are looking for is the key that you can hit all the high notes and also grab all the low notes as well.

I had a pretty good idea that D was going to be my key as I was singing backup and playing rhythm guitar in a Country band -- and the songs in D just felt right.

So. I got the capo out and played the same song singing and moving the capo up and down and sure enough D is my key.

Most guys sing in G or D - some like C.
Most gals sing in A or G
Johnny Cash's bass voice liked E.

I think you will find that some songs you will like to sing them in say D, but, another song you will like G better. Most of us end up singing in a couple of keys. The song dictates which is right. Our lead vocalist sings in G, C and sometime in A. He has been known to lean over and say; "Going to "X", this is too high".

Now we can sing in any key, but, to hit all the highs and grab all the lows each of us has a specific key we prefer. In church you song in whatever key the song is being played in, however, if you were to have a solo in that song you would rather have it in YOUR key.

Capo let me find for sure what my key is. Good luck on the bass - the register is too low IMHO to figure all this out accompanying yourself on the bass.

Have fun.

Thanks man. Helps alot. That's why I play guitar too.

[mambo4]

As I understand it, singers don't have a "key", they have a range. There are not Eb and C# singers...there are altos, sopranos, tenors, basses etc. As discussed in the "which key is the lowest" thread, there is no absolute top or bottom note in any key...given a specific song, some keys may be "better" for you but only because the melody moves into you range when transposed.

That said, I suppose there may be keys that by habit you may instinctively have a better feel for...but I think range not key would be the real limiting factor.

[Marty Forrer]

I'm the lead singer in one of my bands (as well as playing double bass) and I have a repetoire of around 100 songs. The keys are all over the place, it just depends on the song. The trick is to only select songs that sit in your range, and to sing them in your style, dont try and sound like Buddy Holly or whoever. Remember that when you're trying out new songs, you will be able to sing them a whole step higher at a gig than in your music room..... it's a combination of standing up, adrenalin etc. Recording yourself and critiquing the playback is pretty useful too. Also, learn the bass part so you dont have to think about it, then you can put all your effort into the singing.

[flattman]

I was a lead singer/rhythm guitarist for about twenty years, been a bass player for about a week and a half, heh.

Pretty solid advice so far. I don't think I ever found an 'Ideal Singing Key' (Although F, D#, and Bb have been pretty friendly to me), and they can all have notes out of my range (Find this often the case with C)-- Just belly up to a keyboard and find the high and low notes that you can sing clear, strong, and comfortably. Then go track down a batch of songs in that range.

Or, lacking that, with that general interval and move things up or down a couple steps.

[MikeBC]

If all else fails go to a vocal coach and he or she will help you find your key or keys. Some music stores offer voice and instrument lessons at a reasonable place. ONe near me offers lessons in store by pros at $90 per month for weekly half-hour lessons. If all you wish to do is find your key it may take only take 1-3 lessons and then you are done.

[MalcolmAmos]

Marty -- looks like you mike your bass. Few words on that would be interesting. DB is on my bucket list.