Theory; finding what key a song is in (need help). (quote, guitar)

Skinnyboy23 · 07-31-2008, 01:18 AM

Hey there, this is my first post, so don't go too hard on me.
I just started learning music theory on my own; I play guitar, for the most part. I taught myself modes... learned intervals from a guitar teacher back in the day... and know the major scale, minor scale(who's even counting that), and pentatonic scales (same with that). So, as you can see, I don't know much music theory, haha

That's why I've searched for help!

I've always asked my friends, that play music as well, how to tell what key a song is in... none of them ever give me a theoretical explanation. Some said whatever chord is played the most... YEAH RIGHT!... is what I thought to that.

So, with that said... how does one know what key a song is in?

This is my hypothesis, with little knowledge of music theory I have...

Whatever major scale the song is in; the root note of that scale is the key of the song.

Is this right?

Anyways, thanks to anyone who can be of some help towards this!

Easy days

**Janszoon** · 07-31-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skinnyboy23

Whatever major scale the song is in; the root note of that scale is the key of the song.

Is this right?

Yeppers.

Ludicati · 09-24-2008, 07:32 PM

the root of the last chord of the song will be the song's key most of the time

~~Fyrenza~~ · 09-25-2008, 02:33 AM

the key sig will also tell you

heres a helpful link

MyGuitarWorkshop

Fletch · 09-25-2008, 04:12 AM

If you want to get deeper into theory and finding keys (which isn`t always as straightforward as suggested) try looking up the Circle Of Fifths on wikipedia. Print out the Image, you can see how different chords and scales can be connected - thats only one approach, theres different ways of looking at it - plus playing differrent types of scales (as you`ve mentioned) with the same tonic will give a song many different `feels`.

07-31-2008, 01:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Skinnyboy23 Groupie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Theory; finding what key a song is in (need help). Hey there, this is my first post, so don't go too hard on me. I just started learning music theory on my own; I play guitar, for the most part. I taught myself modes... learned intervals from a guitar teacher back in the day... and know the major scale, minor scale(who's even counting that), and pentatonic scales (same with that). So, as you can see, I don't know much music theory, haha That's why I've searched for help! I've always asked my friends, that play music as well, how to tell what key a song is in... none of them ever give me a theoretical explanation. Some said whatever chord is played the most... YEAH RIGHT!... is what I thought to that. So, with that said... how does one know what key a song is in? This is my hypothesis, with little knowledge of music theory I have... Whatever major scale the song is in; the root note of that scale is the key of the song. Is this right? Anyways, thanks to anyone who can be of some help towards this! Easy days

09-25-2008, 04:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fletch Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 82	If you want to get deeper into theory and finding keys (which isn`t always as straightforward as suggested) try looking up the Circle Of Fifths on wikipedia. Print out the Image, you can see how different chords and scales can be connected - thats only one approach, theres different ways of looking at it - plus playing differrent types of scales (as you`ve mentioned) with the same tonic will give a song many different `feels`. __________________ No Bosses, Just Music

09-24-2008, 07:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ludicati Groupie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 26	the root of the last chord of the song will be the song's key most of the time

09-25-2008, 02:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
~~Fyrenza~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: high above the Republic of Texas Posts: 216	the key sig will also tell you heres a helpful link MyGuitarWorkshop