How to Determine What Key You Are Playing in

How to idenify the key of a song.

Determining the key of a song can be one of the most complex processes in learning music. In music theory, key is a complicated subject. Key generally refers to the harmonic center or tone of the song. It is essential, but not easy, to pick out the key of the song you are playing. There are some common clues that might help you understand how to identify the key when playing music.

Instructions

1. Listen to the last note of the song and find that note on a piano keyboard. That is most likely the key of the song.

2. Look at the first chord of the song. That will probably be the key for that song.

3. Review the sheet music and determine the number of flats. The second to the last flat will be the key. For instance, if a song has three flats, Bb, Eb and Ab. The second to the last flat is Eb. This song is in the key of E flat.

4. Count the number of sharps in the song. Take the last sharp in the music and go one-half step higher to determine the likely key. If the last sharp is a D, one-half step above a D sharp is an E. The song is likely in the key of E.

References

• Sound Feelings: Key Identification
• Play Piamo: How To Tell the Key of a Song

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish