2 Ways To Find The Key

I was going through my note-taking from Jermaine's teachings and came across some valuable tips. It's about the 2 primary ways to find the key. 

Intuitively

• Any given time, there is one note you can press down while listening to a song and it will always feel like "home." 
• Common Tone
• Home Base
• Harmonics
• The I
• The Tonic
• True Key

Analytically

• Like DNA, every major key has a unique set of chords. For example, take F Major Scale: F G A Bb C D E F. The key of F has 3 different types of chords: major, minor, diminished.

1. Major Chords: F major, Bb major, C major.
2. Minor Chords: G minor, A minor, D minor.
3. Diminished Chord: E diminished.

• There is only ONE key that has this combination of chords... F major! While C major is close, (C Major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, B diminished); it does not contain the exact musical DNA of F major.
• Like a detective, you can learn to follow these clues to lead you to the right key. Of course, your ear and intuition should be the final judge!

Pro Tips

• The key of the song is essentially the first tone of the scale, aka - "the tonic." We're looking for a scale to place the song in so we can work our magic with the number system, chords, and patterns (the subsequent steps to playing by ear! Without a reference point (the "key" or "the 1"), we're lost.
• Every tone of the scale produces a chord. The first tone of the scale produces a major chord (aka - "the 1-chord"). This is the chord you're listening for. It's usually found at the beginning and end of the song (but not always).
• All songs wrap around to the beginning (usually after the end of the verse or chorus).If you can hum the first chord that's played when the song returns to the beginning, that's likely the 1-chord or the key!
• It will sound like a common tone you can hold down during the entire song.
• In fact, even though the song is progressing from chord to chord, pattern to pattern, this ONE tone will never clash with any of the chords, regardless of what's going on in the song. It's always harmonious.
• If you had to close your eyes and imagine the very last chord of the song...the chord that propels the audience to their feet, clapping and cheering (because even they know it's the last ending chord) -- that's most likely the key of the song, the common "home base" tone we're looking for. 
• If you're not good at finding the key of a song, the good news is you can work on it DAILY while driving in your car -- no piano needed!
• It is recommended that you first hum the key with your own voice before jumping on the piano to figure out what key you're humming. If you can heat it, you can sing it, and if you can sing it, you can play it!

More articles I've written:

What If There Isn't A Transpose Button

Nashville Number System Explained

So, you will probably want to look for the 300pg Course Book that is offered from Hear and Play. It's a fantastic music theory resource book that I continually use with my students.

All the best,

-- LadyD

 "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How To Play Thrive by Casting Crowns

 My husband loves the song "Thrive" by Casting Crowns. Another favorite that my readers enjoy, Praise You In This Storm seems to be so comforting and hopeful when one is going through rough times. One of my favorites is Who Am I by Casting Crowns. 

Here's the video to Thrive if you're not familiar with the song.

"Thrive" (Chords and Lyrics)
Intro

    F#
B F# B F# B F# C#


Verse 1

B
  Here in this worn and weary land
                        F#
  Where many a dream has died

B
  Like a tree planted by the water
                   F#
  We never will run dry



Pre-chorus

            B             F#
  So living water flowing through
         B                  F#
  God we thirst for more of You
           B                    F#
  Fill our hearts and flood our souls
             C#
  With one desire



  Chorus

          B
  Just to know You and
     F#
  To make You known
     B                 F#
  We left Your name on High
        B                 F#              C#
  Shine like the sun made darkness run and hide
     B                     F#
  We know we were made for so much more
       B        F#
  Than ordinary lives
       B              F#                C#
  It's time for us to more than just survive

  B      C#       F#
  We were made to thrive

      
  Interlude

  B F# B F# B F# C#


Verse 2

B       
  Into Your word we're digging deep
                     F#
  To know our Father's heart

B  
  Into the world we're reaching out
                      F#
  To show them who You are



Pre-chorus
            B             F#
  So living water flowing through
         B                  F#
  God we thirst for more of You
           B                    F#
  Fill our hearts and flood our souls
             C#
  With one desire



Chorus

          B
  Just to know You and
     F#
  To make You known
     B                 F#
  We left Your name on High
        B                 F#              C#
  Shine like the sun made darkness run and hide
     B                     F#
  We know we were made for so much more
       B        F#
  Than ordinary lives
       B              F#                C#
  It's time for us to more than just survive

  B      C#       F#       
  We were made to thrive

    play F# until bridge


Bridge


F#                                   B                 C#
  Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible   
  
   4x


Chorus

          B
  Just to know You and
     F#
  To make You known
     B                 F#
  We left Your name on High
        B                 F#              C#
  Shine like the sun made darkness run and hide
     B                     F#
  We know we were made for so much more
       B        F#
  Than ordinary lives
       B              F#                C#
  It's time for us to more than just survive

  B      C#       F#
  We were made to thrive

  Hey!

  B F# B F# B F# C#

  B       C#      F#
  We were made to Thrive

  F#

Again, if you're not familiar where to place your hands with the chords in this progression, be sure and check out Hear and Play's music resource Chords 101 & 102.

All the best,

-- LadyD

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"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Learn To Play Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

A very popular song with my teenage piano students is Hillsongs, Oceans. Do you love it, too?
Here are the chords to this beautiful song. I am looking forward to playing an air pad voice setting on the keyboard while backing up a very special vocalist at our church, playing with the worship team.

Here's a video of the song just in case you're not familiar with this one.

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

Words and Music by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston & Salomon Lighthelm

Key: D

Time: 4/4 Ballad

© 2012 Hillsong

Intro

Bm7  A/C#  D  A  G(no3)

Bm7 = DF#A

A/C# = F#AC#

D = F#AD

A = AC#E

G(no3) = GDG

[Verse 1]

                    A/C#       D 
  You call me out upon the waters,
           A                      G 
The great unknown where feet may fail.
Bm                     A/C#       D 
  And there I find you in the mystery.
           A                   G 
In oceans deep, my faith will stand. 


[Chorus]

               D        A
  And I will call upon Your name.
   G             D             A 
  And keep my eyes above the waves.
            G 
When oceans rise,
              D              A 
My soul will rest in Your embrace,
         G         A       Bm      
For I am Yours and You are mine.


[Instrumental] 

A/C# D D/F# A A/C# G6 G6/A 


[Verse 2]

Bm                     A/C#        D 
  Your grace abounds in deepest waters.
                A               G 
Your sovereign hand will be my guide.
Bm                 A/C#            D        
  Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me,
              A                          G 
You've never failed and You won't start now. 


[Chorus]

             D             A 
  And I will call upon Your name.
G             D             A 
  And keep my eyes above the waves.
            G 
When oceans rise,
             D             A 
My soul will rest in Your embrace,
         G         A       Bm      
For I am Yours and You are mine.


[Instrumental] 

Bm A/C# D D/F# A G6

G6/A Bm A/C# D D/F#


[Bridge]

Bm                         G 
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.
        D 
Let me walk upon the waters
    A 
Wherever You would call me.
Bm                       G 

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.
        D 
And my faith will be made stronger
        A 
In the presence of my Savior. (Repeat[Bridge]X3)

Instrumental

Bm A D A Em Bm A D A Em

[Chorus] 

G            D             A 
  And I will call upon Your name.
     G         D             A
  And keep my eyes above the waves.
            C 
When oceans rise,
   G         D             A
My soul will rest in Your embrace,
         G         A       Bm      
For I am Yours and You are mine.

[Outro] 

A/C# D A G6 Bm D

D chord = ADF#

A chord = AC#E

G6 = EGBD

Bm = F#BD

D = ADF#            

You may be interested in Chords 101 & 102

All the best,

-- LadyD

 "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King