Have you ever wondered how to change keys in a song? Perhaps you’ve asked a question similar to the one I received recently from another ABC Learn Guitar Newsletter subscriber …
“If I use the two chords in a country song C and G7th – The first (C) I can move up a key or two by jumping to (C sharp or D flat). Then to D. The G7th I think would go to A-flat 7 th? Then to A7th. I’m not sure this is right. Make it right for me.”
Sound confusing? Well, believe it or not, he’s on the right track. Perhaps I can clear things up a little more in today’s Guitar Topic…
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Guitar Lesson Resources
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MUSIC TRIVIA:
Did you know…?
John Mayer studied at the Berklee College of Music in 1997. His first two albums, Room for Squares and Heavier Things, went platinum. John Mayer received a Grammy for his hit song: Your Body Is a Wonderland in 2003 and the online version of the school, Berkleemusic.com was also founded that same year.
Get the guitar tab for…
John Mayer – Heavier Things – Play It Like It Is
GUITAR TOPIC:
How To Change Keys in a Song
Understanding how to change keys in a song can not only make you a better guitar player, but it can also give your songwriting a creative boost. Best of all, it’s not hard to do, and it’s a great way to practice chord progressions around the Circle of Fifths.
The musical terminology used for referring to a key change is modulating. One of the most common ways to change keys is to modulate through the dominant 7th chord. For example, if I was in the key of C and wanted to move to the next key, which is G, I would modulate through the D7 chord.
Here is a simple chord progression showing how to modulate from the Key of C to the Key of G and back again:
C Am F G7 C G7 C D7
G Em C D7 G D7 G G7
C Am F G7 C G7 C
Notice that when you modulate from the key of C to key of G you use the D7 chord. When you modulate from the key of G to key of C you use the G7 chord. All you need to do is remember to use the dominant 7th chord from the key that you’re going to in order to make a smooth transition.
Try modulating through each key around the Circle of Fifths with the chord progressions given below. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t play all the chords yet. Simply work with the keys that have chords that you can play. Then use this free chord Library to learn some new ones!
(Strum each chord twice using a 4/4 count)
Key of C: C Am F G7 C G7 C D7
Key of G: G Em C D7 G D7 G A7
Key of D: D Bm G A7 D A7 D E7
Key of A: A F#m D E7 A E7 A B7
Key of E: E C#m A B7 E B7 E F#7
Key of B: B G#m E F#7 B F#7 B Db7
Key of Gb: Gb Ebm Cb Db7 Gb Db7 Gb Ab7
Key of Db: Db Bbm Gb Ab7 Db Ab7 Db Eb7
Key of Ab: Ab Fm Db Eb7 Db Eb7 Db Bb7
Key of Eb: Eb Cm Ab Bb7 Eb Bb7 Eb F7
Key of Bb: Bb Gm Eb F7 Bb F7 Bb C7
Key of F: F Dm Bb C7 F C7 F G7 (Go to the key of C)
Below is another resource that may help those of you who are new subscribers to my newsletter…
How To Transpose Guitar Chords
MORE GUITAR TIPS:
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