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Post subject: Question About Playing The Guitar (Regarding Keys)
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:29 pm
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I have a question about keys in guitar (as in playing the guitar, not the guitar itself).

I have a piece of music for the guitar that says the key of A. What does this mean? And how do you determine the key that you are playing in on a guitar?

Thank you for your help!


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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:11 pm
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Hi G2G -

There are a lot better musicians on this forum who can give you a more nuanced response, but the key of A major features three sharps and has a scale that looks like this:

A B C# D E F# G# A

Thus, every time you see a C, F, or G in the music, you play it as a sharp (unless marked as a natural). I'm sure someone else will chime in soon with more and better information. In the meantime, the Mode Master website has some good info on keys and scales: http://www.mearstech.com/ModeMaster_com/default.htm

Good luck, and welcome!

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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:27 am
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Think of the key as the "home" position or musical foundation of a song. All related notes and chords will be derived and related to the key.

In a major key, the scale starts at the root note, then goes full step, full step, half step, full step, full step, full step, half step (as in the example above).

Common songs will use the major chord of the key, the major chords of the 4th and 5th notes, and minor chords of the 3rd and 6th notes. In the case of the key of A, we're talking about A major, D major, E major, C# minor, and F# minor.

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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:46 am
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To know what key something is by looking at it you will need a better understanding of theory and sight reading. If it is "written" music, you will need to look at the accidentals on the staff (the sharps and flats by the time signature). If it is not written in such a manner, you will know by which chords and notes are being used.

A general rule of thumb though is the opening chord is normally the key of the song. (Please don't flame me...I am using a wide brush here)
Most rock songs follow the I-IV-V formula. So in the case of A minor, the chords would be A-D-E.

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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:21 pm
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The Key lets you know what your root note is.
The Root Note is the first note in the scale you'll be using, and the Bass note of the Chords you'll be using.
A Scale is 7 notes that all like each other.
A Chord is three or more notes played in unison.
A Chord must conatain three or more, including a Root Note, A third, and a Fifth(except Sus and Add chords, but thats later).
A Third is the third note in the scale your using
A Fifth is the fifth note in the scale your using
A Minor Chord has a Flatted Third (meaning lowered a semi-tone or one fret)
A Minor Scale has a flatted Third, Sixth, and Seventh
A 7th Chord had a Root, Third, Fifth, and Seventh
A 6th Chord has a Root, Third, Fifth, and Sixth
A Suspended Chord has replaces the Third with a Second or Fourth
An Add Chord keeps it's Third and Adds a Second or Fourth

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Post subject: Reply
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:38 pm
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Thank you everybody for your help and answers! I understand it now!


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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:45 pm
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FirstMeasure wrote:
A 7th Chord had a Root, Third, Fifth, and Seventh


To confuse things further, more specifically it's a flat 7th, unless it's a Maj 7th chord in which case it's the actual 7th.

In other words, a C7 chord uses a B flat. The C Maj 7 chord uses a B.

:D

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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:53 pm
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tomk62 wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
A 7th Chord had a Root, Third, Fifth, and Seventh


To confuse things further, more specifically it's a flat 7th, unless it's a Maj 7th chord in which case it's the actual 7th.

In other words, a C7 chord uses a B flat. The C Maj 7 chord uses a B.

:D

Oh Yeah, that's right. Music sure is easier to Play than Explain :lol:

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