Writing in key?

**Tall Tyrion** · Subject: Writing in key? Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:04 am

OK, let's just get it out of the way up front:

Q: What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?
A: A drummer!

Buh dum CHICH!!

LOL.... Yes, I'm just a dumb drummer, so I've come here to the super awesome wealth of musical knowledge that is the CMR to ask a question.... How do you figure out what key a song is in? Here's the reason I ask....

I'm currently collaborating with a long time friend who plays guitar and sings. He used to be the rhythm guitarist/bassist in another band I played in long ago, but this is something brand new. Now everytime I bring in lyrics and melodies, he has to spend some time transposing my stuff into F sharp minor, which is the key he has determined he can sing things in without ruining his vocal chords.

So how can I just write this stuff in F sharp minor in the first place so we can skip this step? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but remember... I'm just a drummer. Cool

_________________
“If you make less than $250,000 your taxes will not go up. Not one dime.” BH Obama

''Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq and there never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year -- now,'' Candidate Obama in 2007

lifemetal777 · Number of posts: 608 Age: 20 Registration date: 2007-12-31

Play an F#minor scale several times on a piano so it's in your head before you try to write a melody.
Hope this helps. Smile

VALEDICTION · Number of posts: 950 Registration date: 2007-04-13

Here's a little presentation that may help to get you pointed in the right direction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF8oIKLlBsI

Joe

**Tall Tyrion** · Subject: Re: Writing in key? Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:52 pm

VALEDICTION wrote:

Here's a little presentation that may help to get you pointed in the right direction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF8oIKLlBsI

I don't know if it helps or not, since he prefers F# minor, not F# major. lol!

That is exactly what he's like while he's figuring out chord progression. I just sit there and nod a lot. lol!

lifemetal777 wrote:

Play an F#minor scale several times on a piano so it's in your head before you try to write a melody.
Hope this helps.

I'll try that, Kev. Smile

_________________
“If you make less than $250,000 your taxes will not go up. Not one dime.” BH Obama

''Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq and there never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year -- now,'' Candidate Obama in 2007

Guest

Get a better vocalist? Very Happy

**Tall Tyrion** · Subject: Re: Writing in key? Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:38 pm

Ashen ihr neuer Konig wrote:

Get a better vocalist? Very Happy

No thanks. I'd much rather deal with a limited range than an unlimited ego. Wink

_________________
“If you make less than $250,000 your taxes will not go up. Not one dime.” BH Obama

''Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq and there never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year -- now,'' Candidate Obama in 2007

Guest

You got me there.