What does it mean to "play in key"?

Question

I'm refering to music in this question. I play the guitar and I'm trying to teach myself more about music theory but it's very confusing.

For example, the Rolling Stones song (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction is performed in E Major. What does that mean? It's so flippin' confusing! Arrrg..!

Answer 1

To play in the key of E major is to play on the scale that begins with the E note, and then ascends to F#, G#, A, B, C#, D# and E. That key has four sharps in it.

The key of C, which is the white keys on the piano, has no sharps or flats, and you can help yourself understand about scales and where the sharps or flats fall in each one, if you have a keyboard to work it out on. The key of C begins on C, and ascends to D, E, F, G, A, B, C. That is called a diatonic scale--the way you'd sing the "do, re, mi..." scale.

Any major key you play in will sound similar to that, if you begin on the note (aka the root) of that key. Try it for yourself! The key of G, for instance, has one sharp, and it goes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G.

The key of D has two sharps, and goes D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D.

The key of A has three sharps, and runs A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A.

And like I mentioned above, the key of E has four sharps, and goes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E.

There can be as many as seven sharps, but these should cover most of the popular music you might run across.

I really don't have space or time to describe a lot of beginning music theory, but I've taught myself everything I know. I play Irish harp, and so I've had to learn a few of the basics. You will be able to teach yourself these things...I understand that it seems confusing, but it really is pretty systematic. Do you know anyone else who you can ask about basic music theory?

Answer 2

I'm thinking most of the answers here have nothing to do with your question. The basic point is that there are 11 keys in which songs are written/played. They are:

C, C# (Db), D, D# (Eb), E, F, F# (Gb), A, A# (Bb), and B

And you are right that music theory can be confusing. A good teacher can help you with that, but there are some good sites on the internet that may help you out.

To get a  better handle on what it's all about, I recommend:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_theor...

Then, check out some of the following:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=boo...

And yes, there is a book titled "Music Theory for Dummies."

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=...

HELPFUL ONLINE STUDIES:

http://www.musictheory.net

http://www.numbera.com/musictheory/

The most wonderful thing about understanding music theory is that it applies to all instruments. In addition to helping you become a good guitarist, you can also learn (at the same time) keyboards, as the piano keyboard is pretty much at the root of it all.

The "keys" I listed above correspond to the order of the white and black keys of a piano played in order from lowest (C) to highest (B). Then the same sequence repeats itself.

On the guitar, each fret corresponds to one of the keys of the piano. When you play the E chord of "Satisfaction," the lowest note you play will be your open E string. That E is called the "tonic" or "root" of the E major scale, and indicates what "key" you are in. Not that this is true for EVERY song, but it is for "Satisfaction."

So you see,  you CAN always get what you want.

Here's an even easier route:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Key...

Kabum

Answer 3

To state that a different way, to play in key is to play using notes from that key. If playing in E major, then to play in key is to play using notes from E major.

Two different concepts go into the idea of a "key". First is what tonality it is - major or minor. Each tonality has a different set of notes at different intervals, meaning that they correspond with a certain scale.

The other concept is what the tonic or root is. This is where the scale starts, and what all the chords relate back to.

Example:

C Major scale is C D E F G A B C

C Minor scale is C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

Same root, but different scales.

C Major scale is C D E F G A B C

D Major scale is D E F# G A B C# D

Same scale, ie same distance between each note, but different roots.

You should be aware that some artists will play notes and chords that *aren't* in key to get a different sound. Sometimes this is referred to as mixing tonalities or having a major/minor feeling. If you come across chords that aren't familiar and don't look like they're in key... well, they probably aren't. =)

The White Stripes did this on "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" (is that the right name?), for instance.

Good luck learning theory!

Saul

Answer 4

For that particular song, the intro is deep and that is where it's originally played if you want to sound like them, or at least, play along with their CD or wtv..

Also, the transition is easy since it uses the E, F# and G position.

Some songs don't sound good if play in another key.

Answer 5

Sorry I know its difficult. When you play in key, you play in unisin with the sheet music I think.

Answer 6

It means to play in tune.