nki Posted October 4, 2009 How do you guys figure out keys? I'm talking mainly in situations where you're just essentially with a guitar in your hands and you just have to jam along to something you hear for the first time. I try to play random stuff until something sounds right, then it's easy. But the problem is I spend WAY too much time figuring it out like this and of course what you play sounds rubbish. So is there any other way to go about it, or is it just practice until you get faster at this? Is it possible to hear keys reasonably fast without actually playing anything? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humbucker Posted October 4, 2009 I usually just establish the root note and take it from there. RB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarmaladeSkies Posted October 4, 2009 If you can make out some of the chords in the song then you can probably tell what key it's in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fan_S. Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) A lot of times, the key is the first chord. Then I'd go from there. Lots of rock and roll songs have a nice 1, 4, 5 progression. Or sometimes it goes from 1 to 5. In addition, it can often go from 1, 6(minor), 4, 5(7th). Jazz is a whole other ball of wax. (but worth it) Edited October 5, 2009 by Fan_S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achilles Last Stand Posted October 5, 2009 start with an open string and just keep going up the fret board playing one note at a time til I get one that sounds right and then work out if its major or minor which tells me straight away what chords i can expect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BonzoLikeDrumer Posted October 5, 2009 How do you guys figure out keys? I'm talking mainly in situations where you're just essentially with a guitar in your hands and you just have to jam along to something you hear for the first time. I try to play random stuff until something sounds right, then it's easy. But the problem is I spend WAY too much time figuring it out like this and of course what you play sounds rubbish. So is there any other way to go about it, or is it just practice until you get faster at this? Is it possible to hear keys reasonably fast without actually playing anything? Try a web search saying "Guitar chords for ...." I can pick out pitch (mostly) buy just hearing it but I've been playing for decades so that help's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
