Re: [Harp-L] How to tell the key of any song or music

[sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

The problem of addressing the question: "What key?" is that the term "key"
has ambiguous definition with relation to musical sound.

Sometimes when calling out the "key" of a tune the meaning of the "term"
key is clear and sometimes one has to guess at what the meaning or intent
of the term is.

With respect to musical notation the answer to the question is simple. The
key of the tune is whatever the key signature says it is. But how was that
key chosen? Answer: Depends on what the writer of the notation wants to
call the key. The writer may choose to base the key on the changes
(harmonic structure) or upon the melody and the two can suggest different
key signatures.

One example of the ambiguity is in the use of the term "key" is seen in the
use of the phrase "minor key". There are only 12 keys as indicated by
standard music notation. No "minor key". So what does one mean by a
"minor key". Here the term is being used to indicate "tonal center" and
may have no relation to the key that may be used in the notation of the
song. The term "tonal center" usually refers to the root of a scale that
may be used to build cadence (chord changes that seem to "pull" toward
a resolution).

It can all get very confusing and the confusion stems from ambiguity in
definition of the word or outright abuse of the definition. Thankfully
for most pop terms the question is answered pretty easily. The changes
in most pop tunes are built upon the harmonization of the major scale.
The harmonization of the scale generates: IM7, IIm7, IIIm7, IVM7, V7,
VIm7, VIIm7b5 chords where the roman numeral indicates the note of the
major scale, M = major, m=minor. So look at the chord changes and
determine which scale is being harmonized. There is what folks will usually
call out as the "key" of a tune. The same thing can be done for minor
scales.

So what do you do when somebody calls out a key in a band situation. Take
your best guess at what they mean and if there is any confusion ask what
the first chord is.

Cheers!