How to Work Out the Key of a Piece of Music - Music Theory

Music Matters
2 Nov 201712:33
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRAn instructional video quiz about working out the keys of pieces of music. The host points out the usefulness of the circle of fifths to determine major and minor keys and the sharps and flats associated with them. Four melodies are analyzed - starting with simple examples and progressing to a more complex piece that modulates from C minor to G minor. The video aims to develop the viewer's ability to spot keys in the music they play and compose, with the circle of fifths and awareness of accidentals as useful aids.

Takeaways
  • 😀 The video introduces a key quiz to test your ability to determine the key of a piece of music
  • 🎵 Recommends having access to the circle of fifths to help identify keys
  • 🎹 Explains tricks like looking at the last sharp/flat in the key signature to deduce the major key
  • ♫ Walks through analyzing the key of 4 example melodies using accidentals, first/last notes etc
  • 🎼 Mentions relative major/minor keys and how to spot modulations
  • 🎶 Explains raised 6th/7th degrees of minor scales to identify minor keys
  • 🔑 Uses the circle of fifths, key signatures, accidentals and first/last notes to logically deduce keys
  • 🎵 Suggests taking the intro key theory video if needing a refresher on topics like the circle of fifths
  • 🎹 Plays through the example melodies after analyzing the likely keys
  • 🎼 Concludes that developing key analysis skills helps with playing, writing and understanding music
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of this video?

    -The purpose is to guide viewers through identifying the key of different musical examples, as a quiz to test and improve their understanding.

  • What is the circle of fifths and why is it useful for determining keys?

    -The circle of fifths shows the relationships between major and minor keys, indicating which sharps or flats are in each key signature. It's a handy visual reference for determining possible keys based on the key signature.

  • What are some indicators that a piece is likely in a major key?

    -Indicators of a major key include: no accidental sharps or flats beyond the key signature, a 'bright' or 'happy' sounding melody, a melody that begins and ends on the tonic note.

  • What are some indicators that a piece is likely in a minor key?

    -Indicators of a minor key include: many accidental sharps or flats, a 'sad' or 'melancholy' sounding melody, the 6th or 7th scale degree being raised, no clear establishment of a tonic.

  • How can you use the circle of fifths to identify flat key signatures?

    -For flat key signatures: Look at the second to last flat and go back one flat on the circle to find the key name. For example, in the key of Eb major, the flats are Bb, Eb, Ab. Go back from Ab to find Eb.

  • How can you identify if a modulation to a new key occurs?

    -Signs of modulation include: sudden appearance of many accidentals not in the original key, establishment of a new tonic note, a change in the overall feeling/emotion of the melody.

  • What are some ways a piece can indicate its home key?

    -Ways a piece can indicate its home key are: starting and ending on the tonic note, prominently featuring the tonic chord, lacking accidentals beyond the key signature.

  • What should you do if the key signature doesn't clearly match the accidentals present?

    -Carefully analyze all accidentals present to deduce what key fits with them. The key signature may be incomplete or the music may have modulated.

  • What causes a modulation to a new key?

    -Modulation occurs when the harmonic foundation shifts, established by a strong cadence into a new tonic chord and relying on accidentals foreign to the original key.

  • How can understanding keys help in composing music?

    -Knowing keys helps composers pick appropriate accidentals and harmonic progressions. It also allows modulating to new keys for contrast within a composition.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Introducing the key quiz video

The first paragraph introduces the key quiz video, explaining that it will test the ability to identify the key of different musical excerpts. It advises having access to the circle of fifths and recommends watching another video providing foundation knowledge about keys and the circle of fifths for those unfamiliar with these concepts.

05:05
😃 Identifying the key of melody 1 as B-flat major

The second paragraph analyzes melody 1, observing the key signature of two flats indicating B-flat major or G minor. It determines B-flat major based on no accidentals used and the first and last notes being B-flat. It plays an excerpt of the melody in B-flat major.

10:07
😌 Identifying the key of melody 2 as F-sharp minor

The third paragraph examines melody 2, noting the key signature of three sharps suggests A major or F-sharp minor. It determines F-sharp minor based on prominent F-sharps and use of E-sharps. It plays an excerpt showcasing the minor tonality.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡key
A key in music refers to the tonal center around which a piece of music is composed. Understanding the key helps determine which notes and chords will be used. The video focuses on identifying keys from looking at sheet music. For example, the first melody is determined to be in the key of B-flat major based on its key signature and lack of accidentals.
💡circle of fifths
The circle of fifths is a diagram showing the relationships between major and minor keys, with the key signatures shown as sharps or flats. It is a useful visual tool for determining possible keys based on the number of sharps or flats, as demonstrated for Melodies #2 and #3.
💡relative minor
The relative minor of a major key is based on the 6th note of the major scale, with the same key signature. So the relative minor of A major is F# minor. Recognizing this relationship helped determine Melody #2 was in the relative minor (F# minor) rather than the major key (A major) with 3 sharps.
💡accidentals
Accidentals refer to sharps, flats or naturals applied to specific notes in the music that are not part of the key signature. Accidentals help indicate modulation or minor keys where notes need to be raised or lowered. For example, the E-sharps in Melody #2 indicate F# minor rather than A major.
💡modulation
Modulation refers to shifting from one key to another within a piece of music. Melody #4 provides an example, starting in C minor in the first phrase, and modulating to G minor in the second phrase.
💡major key
A major key follows the major scale formula, creating a more bright and upbeat sound compared to minor keys. The lack of accidentals and strong opening and ending notes help identify Melody #1 as being in the major key of Bb major.
💡minor key
A minor key follows the natural minor scale formula, tending to sound more solemn and serious than major keys. Indicators include accidentals that raise the 6th and 7th scale degrees, as demonstrated in Melody #2 in the key of F# minor.
💡key signature
The key signature indicates the flats and sharps that apply throughout a piece, unless otherwise marked by accidentals. The video demonstrates how the key signature provides clues to deduce the key, like the 3 sharps indicating A major or F# minor as possibilities for Melody #2.
💡scale degrees
Scale degrees refer to each note's position in the scale numbered from 1-7. Understanding melodic tendencies of these scale degrees helps validate keys - like identifying the raised 7th degree in F# minor and modulation to match G minor's raised 6th and 7th scale degrees in Melody #4.
💡tonic
The tonic refers to the 1st scale degree that is the central note the melody tends to resolve to. Melodies #1 and #3 emphasize the tonic notes (Bb and Db) on the first and last notes, helping confirm these major keys.
Highlights

Use the circle of fifths to determine the key signature

Look for accidentals to indicate major vs minor keys

In major keys, no accidentals often means staying in the key

In minor keys, accidentals frequently raise the 6th & 7th scale degrees

The last sharp indicates the 7th degree in a major sharp key

Piece 2 is in F# minor due to E# accidentals

Piece 3 uses flats instead of a key signature

Check for each flat on the circle of fifths to identify key

Piece 3 is in D-flat major with all 5 flats present

Piece 4 modulates from C minor to G minor

B natural in C minor raises the 7th degree B-flat

E natural and F# sharp raise degrees 6 & 7 in G minor

Listen for modulations between keys

Start and end notes can confirm the key

Practice recognizing and using keys when playing/composing

Transcripts

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