Welcome to another edition of “What Key Am I In?”
If you haven’t seen my past ones, click here to check them out.
Ok… here we go:
What major key am I in if I have these chords:
A# minor
D# minor
E# minor
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Answer:
C# major
Explanation:
Remember this chart from other posts?
The first degree of a scale is associated with the major chord.
The second degree of a scale is associated with the minor chord.
The third degree of a scale is associated with the minor chord.
The fourth degree of a scale is associated with the major chord.
The fifth degree of a scale is associated with the major chord.
The sixth degree of a scale is associated with the minor chord.
The seventh degree of a scale is associated with the diminished chord.
Recap:
The 1st, 4th, 5th degrees are major chords.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 6th degrees are minor chords.
The 7th degree is a diminished chord.
*Of course, when you play 4-toned chords, all these change to “seventh” chords (and the 5th tone becomes a “dominant seventh” chord and the 7th tone becomes a “half-diminished seventh” chord… but you didn’t need to know that for this lesson).
There’s only one key that has A#, D# and E# as minor chords… and that key is C#!
Let’s take a look at the C# major scale:
C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#
It’s the only scale with 7 sharps! Literally every tone of the scale is a sharp.
Now, if we apply the rules from above, we’ll be able to figure out which tones are minor:
C# - major chord
D# - minor chord
E# - minor chord
F# - major chord
G# - major chord
A# - minor chord
B# - diminished chord
So if you got this one right, pat yourself on the back! :)
(I have a confession to make. I was really trying to stump you on this one with the use of C#. Normally this scale would be Db, which only has 5 flats and doesn’t use any of these crazy E# or B# enharmonic notes. But my point is… even when you’re in C#, the rules stay the same. You just gotta think in terms of sharps and some notes you’re used to calling “F” and “C” will be called “E#” and “B#,” respectively. Congrats if this was a piece of cake. It’s means you’re getting it!)
Until next time —
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September 24th, 2008 (comment#1)
I FINALLY GOT ONE RIGHT……YIPPIE KI AY YEAH :D :D :D
THESE BLOGS ARE REALLY HELPING…WHEN CAN I HEAR THE RECAP OF YESTERDAY’S SHOW?
September 24th, 2008 (comment#2)
I FIGURED THE 2 NEIGHBORING NOTES HAD TO BE THE2ND AND 3RD OF THE SCALE AND I ACTUALLY GOT IT RIGHT……..CAN U STAND IT?? :D :D ;-D>
September 24th, 2008 (comment#3)
@Brian: CONGRATS! We had some major issues with blogtalkradio yesterday. I actually go cut off twice and had to call back in. The recording was messed up. So sorry! Maybe it was your missing presence that did it!
Be there next week so we don’t have these problems brotha! :)
September 24th, 2008 (comment#4)
@Brian: Did you try the new “subscribe to this comment” feature that we have listed below? If so, tell me how you like it.
September 24th, 2008 (comment#5)
I GOT IT RIGHT……..YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 24th, 2008 (comment#6)
I’M SUBSCIBED AND IT’S ON THE MONEY.
EASIER NAVIGATION TO THE BLOG
IN THE OH SO WISE WORDS OF DR. BISHOP PROPHET GURU ELDER RONALD McDONALD III
…..”I’M LOVIN’ IT!!!
WHAT UP RAY!!
AND JG I’LL BE THUR ERE ;)
September 24th, 2008 (comment#7)
Thanks Trumusic1soul, I’ve been trying to figure this out for 30 minutes and read your comment and it clicked.
September 24th, 2008 (comment#8)
I did find this one easy so as you say I must be getting it! On page 162 of the 300 page course now and things are really starting to fall into place. These blog posts are a great way to practice what I’ve learned from the book. Thanks for all your hard work Jermaine.
Gavin
September 24th, 2008 (comment#9)
I second that Gavin. I have the 300 page book too, and Jermaine is doing a fantastic job making things click. You guys that don’t have the book, should buy it and print these blog tips and add to the book.
Dale
September 24th, 2008 (comment#10)
When I called the office, I heard that Jermaine is writing “The Secrets to playing piano by ear” version 2.0 and it’s supposed to be written more like the style of these blog posts, but with illustrations, graphics and everything. They said, that he wrote the first version that everyone has in 2001 when he was 18 years old. He has learned from his experience with students from everywhere and has 100x more info to share. I didn’t get more info than that but they put me on a list so that I’d know when there are more updates. Sounds promising from what i read on tehse blog posts.
December 4th, 2008 (comment#11)
Yes i got it.D# and E# being the 2 and 3 and A# the 6 gave it away especially being given the 2 and 3.Keep em coming JG.God bless you.
December 14th, 2008 (comment#12)
What you demonstate in audio makes all the difference