Changing Key

[The Fury]

Are there any basic 'rules' you should go by when changing key?

Whenever I try to change it always sounds horrible. I cant just jump from playing chords in one key to chords in another key.

Are there any transitional licks I could use to build up an understanding? (like when you're learning to improvise, you start with something simple and build from that).

Also, how about soloing over a key change, what are some tips for doing this?

What are some common key changes (in terms of intervals)?

Thanks.

[cyberfret]

Some common keys to modulate to would be a key that shares a lot of the same notes. So for instance you might modulated from The key of C (C D E F G A B) to the key of G (G A B C D E F#). They share 6 of the 7 notes. So the interval for that modulation is a Perfect 5th higher. Play a basic 2 note power chord, and the higher of the 2 notes will be the key you will modulated to.

Also common is to modulated to a key a half step higher. I just gives a little more lift to the song.

You might also go to the relative minor. So if you are in C major, go to A minor.

Those are just a couple of common possibilities, but don't let that hinder you from modulating to any key from any key.

Next are the ways that you might consider modulating.

First is what is called direct modulation. You are in one key, you resolve to the I chord, then you start directly in another key.

Second is called pivot chord modulation. For instance some keys share some common chords. So what you do is write a chord progression where a couple of the chords could function in either key, and you just kind of slip into the new key.

The third is called dominant modulation. What you are going to do is "set up" the new key by play the Dominant 7th chord built on the 5th degree of the new key.

For example the D7 chord below is the V7 chord in the key of G. So that chord helps pull you into the next key. All of the chords before D7 are in the key of C, then the D7 pulls your ear into the new key of G.

C / / / | F / / / | G / / / | C / D7 / | G / / / | em / / / | C / / / | D / / / | G

The same effect can be use if you play a Diminished 7 chord a half step below the new key that you want to modulate to.

Those are just a couple of ideas that you might try.

Here is a lesson to check out on improvising over key changes. You could also apply the ideas to writing.
http://www.cyberfret.com/styles/jazz/improvising-over-key-changes/index.php

--Shawn

[Jools]

Originally posted by cyberfret
Some common keys to modulate to would be a key that shares a lot of the same notes. So for instance you might modulated from The key of C (C D E F G A B) to the key of G (G A B C D E F#). They share 6 of the 7 notes. So the interval for that modulation is a Perfect 5th higher. Play a basic 2 note power chord, and the higher of the 2 notes will be the key you will modulated to.

Also common is to modulated to a key a half step higher. I just gives a little more lift to the song.

You might also go to the relative minor. So if you are in C major, go to A minor.

Those are just a couple of common possibilities, but don't let that hinder you from modulating to any key from any key.

Next are the ways that you might consider modulating.

First is what is called direct modulation. You are in one key, you resolve to the I chord, then you start directly in another key.

Second is called pivot chord modulation. For instance some keys share some common chords. So what you do is write a chord progression where a couple of the chords could function in either key, and you just kind of slip into the new key.

The third is called dominant modulation. What you are going to do is "set up" the new key by play the Dominant 7th chord built on the 5th degree of the new key.

For example the D7 chord below is the V7 chord in the key of G. So that chord helps pull you into the next key. All of the chords before D7 are in the key of C, then the D7 pulls your ear into the new key of G.

C / / / | F / / / | G / / / | C / D7 / | G / / / | em / / / | C / / / | D / / / | G

The same effect can be use if you play a Diminished 7 chord a half step below the new key that you want to modulate to.

Those are just a couple of ideas that you might try.

Here is a lesson to check out on improvising over key changes. You could also apply the ideas to writing.
http://www.cyberfret.com/styles/jazz/improvising-over-key-changes/index.php

--Shawn

damn, this is soooo confoosing... it only shows what advantage paid professional musicians have over us... :)

[guitartabbooks]

Hello
Maybe if you realize that there is, concerned, and beyond qualified help as myself out here on cyberfret, if you contact me back, maybe we can make arrangements for somewhat of a live demonstration. Wether it may take email and phone support or, meet in person, and see , exactly what this may consist of.

As I now have a Billboard top rating for guitar instruction, I can only look back, and be glad that I had the chance to learn from the best.
The most important thing I know that I have ever learned , comes in two's.
1) How to change keys
2) How to properly do so, and what I am allowed to do, "when" doing so.

[guitartabbooks]

Am I really as drunk, as I think you am?
Well , regardless, I can tell you abruptly, that you should allways practice over alot of coffee, and many cigarettes. But never smoke or drink.
Save that for after a long day of hard work. Better yet, if you can, skip that, and go back to the strings.
Nothing better than self satisfaction of being a good player. Ya?

[The Fury]

Hey, thanks for the help, I think it's a little advanced for me at this stage though.

Oh and about this "I'm not so think as you drunk I am" - it's a quote from my favorite guitar player (John Squire), it made me smile so I thought I'd have it as my sig. I would never get drunk, well not much anyway ;)

[guitartabbooks]

my email is youcanplayguitar@core.com
contact me with your return email, and I'll create you a specially designed lesson, that will cover all the basics of what you are in quest of learning.
Scott