what does it mean when someone claims to be playing in a key. like playing a song in d minor or g magor for instance?

-- David Klieman (fishhawkdog@earthlink.net), November 20, 2004

Answers

Each key has certain notes which "belong" with it...they are the notes that make up the scale that starts on that note. For example, in C major the notes are C D E F G A B. In F major, the notes are F G A B-flat C D E. So if a song is in C major, it will mainly use those notes, and C will feel like "home".

People play in different keys in order to pitch a song more comfortably for singers, or because it's easier to play in some keys than others, or because they just like the feel/sound of a certain key...or because it was written that way.

-- Alice Dearden (alicedearden@look.ca), November 20, 2004.