Choosing a KEY

Can the "key" be chosen from any string or only from the low "E" string ?

I think you are under the impression that the low root note is the only thing that defines or identifies the key. This isn't the case.

Think of the key of C. In that key, the notes are CDEFGAB. You can start that first C on ANY C on the whole fretboard. Not just the 8th fret of the 6th string. Getting a little more complex, you don't even have to use the C, but you can still be in the key of C by playing something with the other notes. Or go into different modes.

In terms of chords, the Major sequence is:
Maj min min Maj Maj min dim
Cmaj Dmin Emin Fmaj Gmaj Amin Bdim

There are a ton of factors that goes into defining the key. Not 1 note or 1 string.

When thinking of keys (and things like scales or different modes), think of them in terms of their sound. Something in the key of C will have a unique sound because of the notes used in that key, compared to something in the key of A that has different notes used in it.

Hey Hunter,
You may be rushing things a little, Yoobee might not be ready for that yet. What you said makes sense though, but I'm sure you mean't to put the chord not the key in your post.

It's the root note that decides what the chord is, and that's the first note in it's major scale. The other notes of the chord are the 3, and the 5. Just to give an example, take the G chord for instance.

G A B C D
1 2 3 4 5

Every note in a basic G chord is G B D, anywhere on the fretboard that you can put these notes together is a G chord. This is called a triad, and it's a good idea to learn the triad for every chord.

It's also a good idea to learn the chord progressions in the keys. Basic chord progressions are the 1, 4, 5 chord in each key. Here are a few examples of this.

1 2 3 4 5
G A B C D
D E F G A
A B C D E

The 1 is the key you're in, and the 4, and the 5 are the other two chords in a 3 chord progression in that key.

If you're reading sheet music, you look at the key signature. The key depends on how many # (sharps) or b (flats) you see in between the treble clef, and the time signature. The G major scale has an F# in it, so if there's a # sign on the top line of the staff (F) the key is G. I think key of F is the only key with a b (flat) in it, and the note is a b flat too.

Let me know if this helps Yoobee, and if you have any other questions. I don't know where you are in our courses, but I do know this info is part of the Core learning system.

He isn't asking about chords though. He is asking about keys and how you choose what key you play in.

I think the writer/composer chooses which key we play in, unless you transpose the song.

Originally Posted by: yoobeeCan the "key" be chosen from any string or only from the low "E" string ?

The musical key that you play in is the major or minor scale in which the song, section or melody is based. The scale from which most of the notes in the music you are playing belong.

The key can be chosen from any of the 12 available musical alphabet letters:

A, B-flat, B, C, D-flat, D, E-flat, E, F, G-flat, G, A-flat.

Any melody or song can be played starting in any key you desire; any one of those 12 letters. You can find those notes on any string of the guitar, not just the low E string. You pick a letter, apply a scale (major or minor), then find it on the instrument!

Other factors would include, which key works best for the tune, if it going to be sung by a singer with a certain range, what instrument it will be played on (flat keys typically work well for brass instruments, natural keys for guitar).

Hope that helps.