• The Easiest Way To Learn All 12 Keys

    in Theory

    When it comes to learning all 12 keys, there’s a few ways to do it.

    You can use the number system and chord approach.

    In this approach, you simply ask yourself two questions:

    1) What number of the scale am I on (aka “scale degree“)?
    2) What kind of chord am I playing?

    If you were in C major, and you happened to be playing an F major chord, the answers to those questions are:

    1) Fourth tone because F is the 4th tone (or degree) of the scale.
    2) Major chord

    You can take this chord to any key if you know the 4th tone of that key and how to form a major chord on that tone.

    So that’s one way to do things.

    You can also use the intervallic approach.

    You simply count up the number of half steps in between your current key and the key you want to go to.

    So if your current key is C major and you want to play the same chord in Ab major, you ask yourself how many half steps separate C and Ab.

    Answer is 8 half steps if counting from C “UP” to Ab.

    4 half steps, if counting from C “DOWN” to Ab.

    That means any chord you play in C major… if you simply move up every note 8 times (or down 4) you’ll arrive at the equivalent chord in Ab major.

    This is cool if you really need to take something from one key to another specific key. But it’s not the easiest.

    If you really want to learn in all 12 keys, do it 1 half step at a time.

    If you’ve learned a string of 5 chords in the key of C, all you have to do is write out each chord:

    C major – C E G
    D minor – D F A
    G7 – G B D F
    C major – C E G
    F major – F A C

    And since we’re doing this thing half step by half step, our very next key to learn is Db.

    All you have to do is move every finger up one single note. That’s right, simply move every finger up a half step.

    Side note: I got a comment from someone saying they didn’t understand how to move every finger up one note. Yes, music can be difficult but some things are to be understood at face value. No hidden secret or technique here. When I say move every finger up one note, that’s exactly what I mean.

    C becomes Db
    E becomes F
    G becomes Ab

    Old Key | New Key
    C E G | Db F Ab

    D becomes Eb
    F becomes Gb
    A becomes Bb

    Old Key | New Key
    D F A | Eb Gb Bb

    G becomes Ab
    B becomes C
    D becomes Eb
    F becomes Gb

    Old Key | New Key
    G B D F | Ab C Eb Gb

    F becomes Gb
    A becomes Bb
    C becomes Db

    Old Key | New Key
    F A C | Gb Bb Db

    Same progression in Db major:

    Db major – Db F Ab
    Eb minor – Eb Gb Bb
    Ab7 – Ab C Eb Gb
    Db major – Db F Ab
    Gb major – Gb Bb Db

    Now the real question is… who’s serious enough to take what they know in one key, invest the time to take it to all keys — half step by half step — practice those new keys til’ tired, and “wash, rinse, and repeat” for every new thing they learn? Now that’s what separates the pros from the novices.

    Until next time.

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    Hi, I'm Jermaine Griggs, founder of this site. We teach people how to express themselves through the language of music. Just as you talk and listen freely, music can be enjoyed and played in the same way... if you know the rules of the "language!" I started this site at 17 years old in August 2000 and more than a decade later, we've helped literally millions of musicians along the way. Enjoy!




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