MODULE 5
How To Change Keys

In this module you will learn how to change keys of songs and explore various chord progressions from different eras. You will be surprised how many songs use the same chord sequence, yet sound completely different. 
Changing the key of a song can serve a variety of purposes, including:
  1. Vocal range: Changing the key of a song can make it easier or more comfortable for a singer to sing. For example, if a song is originally written in a key that is too high for a particular singer's range, lowering the key may make it more suitable.
  2. Instrumental range: Changing the key can also make a song more playable on a particular instrument. For example, a ukulele player might find it easier to play a song in a different key.
  3. Emotion and mood: Changing the key of a song can also affect its emotional impact. For example, a song in a minor key might have a darker, more melancholic mood, while the same song in a major key might sound brighter and more uplifting.
  4. Cover versions: When covering a song, changing the key can help to give the new version a fresh and unique sound, and make it stand out from the original.
Overall, changing the key of a song can be a useful tool and allow you to adapt the music to different contexts to achieve your desired musical goals.

KEY SIGNATURE CHART

This is a fantastic tool to keep handy, especially for transposing song keys but also for other reasons such as working out chord families if you decide to give song writing a go. But for now we will use this tool to figure out how to change keys effectively.
The main key of C major is the only scale with no accidentals (sharp or flat notes) and the starting point for the formulaic physiology of the western music system, but let's not get too technical.

You will notice that each scale note is numbered. These numbers are essential for key changes. The formula for sharpened scales works by taking the 5th note of the previous major scale and restarting them in chronological order but adding an accidental sharp (#) at every 7th position from thereon, to remain sharpened throughout the rest of the scales.

For flattened scales, the 4th note of the main scale is formulated chronologically with the 4th position flattened in each scale.

To transpose keys you first need to work out all of the chords in a song. Let's use the Do-Wop formula which consists of a 1 - 6 - 4 - 5 formula and lets say we are in the key of C. This would give us the following chords:​
EXAMPLE: Take the root note of each chord, which would give you: C - A - F - G, then go to the key you want to change to, for example, let us transpose these chords to the key to G. 
  • Position 1 of the G major scale would be a G note
  • Position 6 would be an E note
  • Position 4 would be a C note
  • Position 5 would be a D note. 
G - E - C - D. Then add the chords prefix symbols back on to give you the chord names: G - Em - C - D7.

EXERCISE: Have a go at changing this same Doo-Wop progression above to the key of D and F and see what chords you get. 

CHORD PROGRESSIONS

Chord progressions are a sequence of chords that were popularised by certain music genres.
  • 1950s DOO-WOP sound is primarily created with the 1 - 6 - 4 - 5 chord progression.​
  • ROCK AND ROLL music was adapted from BLUES music and often use the 1 - 4 - 5 chord progressions that can be adapted to major, minor and 7th sequences, but usually in a 12 bar sequence that looks like this: 1 1 1 1| 4 4 1 1 | 5 4 1 5
  • POPULAR music is often formulated with the 1 - 5 - 6 - 4 chord progression.
For the examples below the following chords that relate to the chord families in the key of C are:
1 = C
4 = F
5 = G7 or G
​6 = Am
EXERCISE: Listen to the audio files below and see if you can figure out which category from the lists above each chord progression belongs too:
You may notice that some of the songs may require two bars of each chord too.  See if you can figure out the chords for a selection of songs using any key from the chart above.

DOO-WOP MEDLEY

This is a great exercise for playing as many songs as possible using the same chord progression. The song will start with two down beats on each chords before morphing into a full bar of each chord.

EXERCISE: Have a listen to the audio track before you download the PDF and how many of the songs you recognise. There is a mix of 1950's Doo-Wop records and a few pop hits from the 80's onwards. 
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