How can i tell what key im in?

[alex027]

This may be a stupid question, but here goes anyway. When im trying to figure out a progression of chords, and only play the root of each chord, and i don't work from the key center out, i just know what sounds i want. Is there anyway to find the key center. I know i can sometimes tell by the resolve of the notes and when the ear is pleased. Am i doing it wrong? Should i start with the key and work my way out? Thanks in advance.

ALEX

[DocBop]

The easier way to spot a key (remember songs can change key) is to look or listen for the dominant 7th chords. Typically they are V chord and trying to resolve down to the I chord. So many times you have to look for dominants see if they are resolving (Circle of Fifths). I school sometime we had to do analysis on triads no 7ths to help and harder to do have to look at the chord movement for that V->I then look at the other chords to see if they fit common chord movements. Your ear is the final decision maker.

If you have the melody you can use it to see where what it is saying. The common tendency tones in melodies are..

2->1
4->3
6->5
7->1

Listen to where the half steps are in the melody and try to decide if they are one of the common half-step tendencies.

[OriginalCrash]

While I don't have near the knowledge of theory that DocBop has, what I've found will usually get you the key is this... Try noting what the first and/or last chords of the song are. This is far from always the case, but often one of those will get you your key. Again, DocBop's advice is certainly better, but if you don't have a strong background in music theory, this may be a good place to start. As he said, in the end, your ear makes the final decision. The trick is to hear where the chord progression resolves, where it sounds like it really ends, where it sounds "happiest," if you will.

Brian

[alex027]

Thanks for the reply guys. Definitely a huge help. While i can usually figure out what the key center is, after some work, this will surely make it much easier. Thanks again.

[Freddels]

Are there any accidentals (sharps or flats)? Is the B flat or natural? Is the F sharp or natural? You go through the cycle of 5ths with the accidentals.

If the B is flat then what about the E?
If the F is sharp what about C?

This will quickly tell you the key (if major or nat minor) (but a little more work is needed if the tune is written in harmonic or melodic minor).

Knowing all the notes of the major scales will help you do this very quickly in your head.

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by DocBop

The easier way to spot a key (remember songs can change key) is to look or listen for the dominant 7th chords. Typically they are V chord and trying to resolve down to the I chord. So many times you have to look for dominants see if they are resolving (Circle of Fifths). I school sometime we had to do analysis on triads no 7ths to help and harder to do have to look at the chord movement for that V->I then look at the other chords to see if they fit common chord movements. Your ear is the final decision maker.

If you have the melody you can use it to see where what it is saying. The common tendency tones in melodies are..

2->1
4->3
6->5
7->1

Listen to where the half steps are in the melody and try to decide if they are one of the common half-step tendencies.

I have an answer!

[Pilgrim]

With rock, I ask the guitarist what chord he's starting with. If he's in A (for example) then there you are. From there the progressions are usually not too hard. If I get lost, I stop and ask the guitarists to walk me through the chord sequence they're playing. The rest is practice.

But maybe this is too basic to address the question.

[The Artist]

I often have trouble with our guitarist when, say he tells me it is in "A" or so. Useually when he says this, he means A minor but sometimes it as a different mode. (Dorian, Mixolydian aso..) often I can't find out witch one it is. What also makes it harder is that we play everything in drop D (E string tuned a whole step down). Any advice? (I didn't quite get the advice from DocBop)
I often try playing the scales over what he's playing untill I find the mode that fits. But it doesn't allways work

thanks for any advice

aLexx

[Dave Muscato]

Look at the key signature?....









- Dave