identifying the key

azeng808 · #1 08-28-2005, 09:54 PM

how do you guys find the key of a song by listening and/or by the notes you play

slybass3000 · #2 08-28-2005, 10:22 PM

A good mix of both.
This may sounds obvious but most of the time, the root you play the most in a tune or the one you come back the most often is usually the key of the tune. I know there can be exceptions to this rule but most of the time it's gonna work.

SB

abaguer · #3 08-28-2005, 10:58 PM

get the sound of the V chord in your head. The V will usually resolve to the I. That's what I rely on the most.

RiddimKing · #4 08-29-2005, 01:22 AM

98.9% of the time, the note the song ENDS on will indicate the key it's in.

**Pacman** · #5 08-29-2005, 04:07 AM

Not Technique related. Off to General Instruction.

Jeb · #6 08-29-2005, 08:30 PM

In an unfamiliar piece without a sheet, the "tonal center" of a progression is my best indicator. By experimenting with different notes in the progression, I'll get a feel for which modes work and which ones don't. Once the modes lock with the tune, I know I'm there, gain a bit of confidence and can go with it some.