{"id":40,"date":"2007-08-15T08:34:39","date_gmt":"2007-08-15T15:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/?p=40"},"modified":"2024-12-26T00:12:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-26T08:12:02","slug":"how-to-effectively-master-every-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearplaymain.wpenginepowered.com\/how-to-effectively-master-every-key\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Effectively Master Every Key"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you haven’t recognized already, the concept I’ve been discussing is called “transposition.” You’ve probably heard it said another way … like “transposing” or “take it up!”<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

If you have the <\/font> 300pg course,<\/a> <\/font>you can find detailed information on transposing songs in chapter 20 (pgs 295-298). If you don’t have the course yet, just keep reading as I’ll define key terms below.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Transposing a song is basically moving it from one key to another. For example, if you’re playing a song in the key of C major, to transpose it simply means to take it from C major and play the same exact song, but in terms of a new major key.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Anything can be transposed … not just songs. You can transpose <\/font> chords<\/a><\/font>, melodies, scales<\/a>, and more!<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Let’s get right to work…<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Ok, let’s say you know a basic song (for the purposes of this lesson, let’s play <\/span>“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers). This song will be easy for anyone to catch on to (whether beginner or advanced). Plus, most people know this classic!<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Here’s a sample recording of the chorus part that I’ll use:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/leanonme.html<\/a><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

If you’re good at finding the key center of a song (see <\/font> January 2005<\/font><\/a> <\/font> newsletter), you already know that the recording above is played in the key of C major.<\/strong> If you’re not good at finding key centers of songs, refer to my <\/font> 300pg course<\/font><\/a> and the bonus CD-rom which comes along with it. Piano Player Plus v1.0<\/a> helps you to train your ear with various sound exercises and tests, all done on the computer.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

But back to “Lean on Me”…<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Here’s the main chorus:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Major key of C major<\/font><\/p>\n

Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Notice how these are just basic triads. As famous as this song is, the chorus is nothing more than basic triads walking up the first four notes of the C major scale and right back down.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Try playing it now.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

The left hand uses single notes while the right hand simply plays various three-fingered chords<\/a>.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

… so now that you know a few chords, let’s examine how to transpose this chorus to other major keys.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n


\n<\/font><\/p>\n

Transposing:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

I’ll cover two methods.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1 ) The first one uses half steps and whole steps.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

In music, the distance between any two notes right next to each other is called a “half step<\/a>.” So the relationship between C and Db, for example, is a half step. The relationship between E and F is also a half step.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

A “whole step<\/a>” is the distance between two notes that are separated by a key. So the distance between C and D is a whole step (because Db is in between them). Just remember this poem and you’ll be alright:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Half steps are from key to key with no keys in between,<\/font><\/p>\n

Whole steps always skip a key with one key in between.<\/font><\/p>\n

So with that said, let’s take “Lean on Me” and figure out how to move it into another key.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Major key of C major<\/font><\/p>\n

Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Since we’re already in the key of C major, we’ll need to figure out what key we want to move the current song to.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Let’s try D major first.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

There’s just two things you have to do to move this song from C major to D major:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1. Ask yourself, how many half steps OR whole steps is D major (the new key) from C major (the old key)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

RECAP: Find out the distance between the new key and the old (in either half steps or whole steps, whichever one you prefer).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

2. Move each chord up or down that many steps (whatever the answer to question #1 is).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

This is best explained by demonstrating exactly what I mean:<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Ok, our current major key is C major.<\/strong><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

In step one, we need to know how many whole or half steps are in between C major and the new key we want to transpose to (D major in this case).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

So……<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

The distance between C major and D major is 1 whole step.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

(that is, C to Db is 1 half step, Db to D is another half step. 2 half steps = 1 whole step).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Now all we need to do is move every one of our chords up 1 whole step:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Lean on Me” in C major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n“Lean on Me” in D major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n


\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + B + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F# \/\/\/ A + D + F#<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ B + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ B + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F# \/\/\/ A + D + F#<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + B + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Notice the differences between the old key and the new key.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

For the first chord, C is the bass in C major but in the new key, D is the bass (or left hand).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D is one whole step higher than C so that makes perfect sense. For every note, this should be the case.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D is 1 whole step higher than C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F# (the first note in the right hand) is one whole step higher than E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

A is one whole step higher than the G from the old chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D is one whole step higher than C from the old chord.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

While this method can surely allow you to transpose all the songs<\/span><\/a> you know into new keys, it is very time-consuming.<\/font><\/p>\n

2. The second method involves relating the chords and notes of one key to the other. <\/strong> Let me explain:<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

The first method we used looked at everything independently. That means no matter what you play, whether a chord, scale, 5-fingered chord<\/a>, or 2-fingered chord, you move everything up 1 whole step (or how many ever steps it takes you to reach the “new” key).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

This second method looks at the grand scheme of things. That means, we analyze “WHAT” chords or scales are being played and we just apply those same type<\/strong> of chords to the new key.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

In order to master this step, YES<\/strong><\/span>, you need to know your scales and chords. I mean, to be an excellent musician, you should know these things anyway, right?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at our example once again:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

In this method, you’d analyze the chords to see “what’s going on” basically.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Here’s what I see:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1) The first chord is a C major because C<\/strong> is on the left-hand bass and E + G + C<\/strong> is played in the right hand. Any time the notes C, E, and G are played together, that means you’re probably playing a C major chord or something related to it.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

2) The second chord above is also a C<\/strong> major. It’s identical to the first chord.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

3) The third chord above is a D<\/strong> minor because D <\/strong>is being played on the left-hand bass while F + A + D<\/strong> is being played on the right hand. <\/font> <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

4) The fourth chord is a C <\/strong>major chord with an E<\/strong> bass. Notice that it has the same combination of notes as the first and second chord above ( C E G). It’s simply played in a different order this time (we call that “inversions<\/a>“)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

5) The fifth chord is an F major chord because F is the bass and A + C + F<\/strong> is played on the right hand. While you’re probably used to seeing F A C as an F major chord, A+C+F is just another way to play it (another inversion).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Lastly, the next four chords are just the same chords played in reverse order.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

So with this method, you just look at the BIGGER picture.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

You say to yourself:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

“Hmmm Self”<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

“The left hand bass is basically the first four notes of the major scale of whatever key I’m in” AND…<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

“The chords are basically: 1st chord major, 2nd chord minor, 1st chord major with “3” bass, and 4th chord major … and do the same thing going down.”<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

With this type of method, you should be able to go to any major key given that you know the major scale of the new key.<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Let’s look at the C major scale (the key in which this song is played in):<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C D E F G A B C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

So we used the 1 major chord (C major)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Then we used the 2 minor chord (D is the 2nd tone of the scale and we used it’s minor chord)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Then we used the 1 major chord again (C major) but this time with the 3 bass. What is the 3rd tone of the C major scale? E is the answer so basically we used E as the bass but the same 1 major chord (just played in a different inversion).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Lastly, we used the 4 major chord (which is F major).<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

With this same pattern in mind, just change the major key:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D major:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D E F# G A B C# D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 1 major chord of D major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: D major chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 2 minor chord of D major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: E minor chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 1 major chord of D major with the 3 bass?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: D major with F# bass (D major played with F# on top as well: A + D + F#)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 4 major chord of D major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: G major chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

And… once again, you should end up with “Lean on Me” now in the new major key of D:<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Lean on Me” in C major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n“Lean on Me” in D major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n


\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + B + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F# \/\/\/ A + D + F#<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ B + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ B + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F# \/\/\/ A + D + F#<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + B + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F# + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Now one last time…<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Try transposing the song from C major to F major:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F major:<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F G A Bb C D E F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 1 major chord of F major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: F major chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 2 minor chord of F major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: G minor chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 1 major chord of F major with the 3 bass?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: F major with A bass (F major played with A on top as well: C + F + A)<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

What’s the 4 major chord of F major?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

_______________<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Answer: Bb major chord<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Lean on Me” in C major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n“Lean on Me” in F major<\/font><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

E \/\/\/ G + C + E<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

D \/\/\/ F + A + D<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

C \/\/\/ E + G + C<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n


\n<\/font> Left \/\/\/ Right hand<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ Bb + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

A \/\/\/ C + F + A<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Bb \/\/\/ D + F + Bb<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Bb \/\/\/ D + F + Bb<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

A \/\/\/ C + F + A<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

G \/\/\/ Bb + D + G<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

F \/\/\/ A + C + F<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

See how simple that is?<\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

If you’re really serious about learning all your major scales, chords (like major chords, minor chords, dominant chords, diminished chords, seventh chords, ninth chords, eleventh chords, and more), then I strongly recommend that you check out my <\/font><\/span> 300pg course “The Secrets to Playing Piano By Ear.<\/a><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

Chords to study for this online classroom:<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n