what key?


mbw1
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/16
Posts: 17
mbw1
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/16
Posts: 17
11/27/2017 6:14 pm

i have a chord progession going f# to a to Em to C, what key is that song in?


# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
11/27/2017 7:05 pm
Originally Posted by: mbw1

i have a chord progession going f# to a to Em to C, what key is that song in?

In order to identify the key signature of a melody, chord progression or song, you need to write out all the notes in the melody or chords, then build a scale from them. If they don't all fit, then you have a modulation.

In this case:

F#: f#-a-c#

A: a-c#-e

E min: e-g-b

C: c-e-g

If you start on the F#, you have: f# - g - a - a# - b - c - c# - e

That doesn't fit any pure major or minor scale. So, you've got a modulation. In fact, you've got a bunch of them. :)[br][br]Basically, you are starting in F# major, but then quickly modulating to A major, then E minor. The C major chord is the vi chord in E minor so that's at least 2 chords in the same key.

I cover this topic in my intro to improvisation.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876

Hope this helps!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
mbw1
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/16
Posts: 17
mbw1
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/16
Posts: 17
11/27/2017 7:08 pm

thank you so much


# 3

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