Identifying Song Key

andrewsp88 · 20th July 2011

Hey Guys,

I am trying to do a remix of Helena Beat.
I think the key is Em. but people keep telling me it is Gmajor.
Based on the guitar website, I understand that the Capo adjust the chord position of the guitar, but i am curious about the chord progression. Em D C D G D I would assume it is in the Em key?
Thanks
Any help or advice would be great.

Guitar Chords:
911Tabs.Com - External Link

Foster The People - Helena Beat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SZGW-6AF3A

Thanks

Yoozer · 20th July 2011

From 0:23 on:

Abmaj / Bdim (inverted to F-B-D) / Ebmaj
Dbmaj / Ebmaj / Abmaj / Ebmaj (high)

While I'm not familiar with the actual rules you could argue that it's in Ebmaj though it starts and ends with the dominant, not with the tonic.

lovenara · 21st July 2011

Em is a minor for Gmajor,so you can say they are in the same key.
Many songs have modulations in them that you can say tonality in stead of key.
The vdo is like a selfmade indie MV but with cool color correction

BubbaMc · 21st July 2011

You determine the key by hearing it. Listen for the most stable note (tonic), that's your key.

Then determine if the tonality is major or minor. For a major key the interval between the tonic and third note is a Major 3rd. For a minor key the interval between the tonic and the third note is a minor 3rd. 'Movable Doh' solfege is great for this, I can't recommend practicing it enough.

With some practice you'll be able to identify the tonality within milliseconds, and with an instrument on hand you'll be able to determine the tonic (key name) immediately.

20th July 2011	#1
andrewsp88 Gear interested Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	Identifying Song Key Hey Guys, I am trying to do a remix of Helena Beat. I think the key is Em. but people keep telling me it is Gmajor. Based on the guitar website, I understand that the Capo adjust the chord position of the guitar, but i am curious about the chord progression. Em D C D G D I would assume it is in the Em key? Thanks Any help or advice would be great. Guitar Chords: 911Tabs.Com - External Link Foster The People - Helena Beat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SZGW-6AF3A Thanks

20th July 2011	#2
Yoozer happy cycling Joined: May 2009 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 7,100 1 Review written	From 0:23 on: Abmaj / Bdim (inverted to F-B-D) / Ebmaj Dbmaj / Ebmaj / Abmaj / Ebmaj (high) While I'm not familiar with the actual rules you could argue that it's in Ebmaj though it starts and ends with the dominant, not with the tonic. __________________ For all the intelligence and knowledge that technology empowers us with, the lazy and stupid is amplified along with it (Staticstarter) Threads to check out: Chord Generators & Tips \| Pop Sound Sources

21st July 2011	#3
lovenara Gear nut Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 100	Em is a minor for Gmajor,so you can say they are in the same key. Many songs have modulations in them that you can say tonality in stead of key. The vdo is like a selfmade indie MV but with cool color correction __________________ my facebook my vdo+3d animation+music webpage My disintegration fx teaser is on,please visit http://soundcloud.com/kampon-tan/kennytan-medley-2011promote

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21st July 2011	#4
BubbaMc Gear nut Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 97	You determine the key by hearing it. Listen for the most stable note (tonic), that's your key. Then determine if the tonality is major or minor. For a major key the interval between the tonic and third note is a Major 3rd. For a minor key the interval between the tonic and the third note is a minor 3rd. 'Movable Doh' solfege is great for this, I can't recommend practicing it enough. With some practice you'll be able to identify the tonality within milliseconds, and with an instrument on hand you'll be able to determine the tonic (key name) immediately.