How To Find The Key Of A Song On The Guitar - Guitar Lesson

[@MusoraMedia]

Ready to level up your playing? Get personal coaching tips and structured lessons: enjoy your free 7-day trial to Guitareo! ► guitareo.com/trial

[@rogerd9150]

Came back to refresh myself on this after some months. Having learned more in my guitar lessons, I've learned new stuff I didn't process the last time. Your videos are great! I just wish I could give it another thumbs up!

[@MarkBrown5150]

Great - I need more theory lessons. I am learning that theory makes playing simply by memorizing chords and tabs much more meaningful and actually easier to play and easier to play the tune as it was meant to be played - match the recording if you will. As a 70 year old guitar student I am always looking for more info, even though I have been at this for 8 or so years. I have found consistency in your lessons. Thanks again brother.

[@itsarjun19]

The explanation was too good. Beautifully explained. Need to put the same into practice now. Thanks Nate :)

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi Nathan, your lessons are really helpful, you don't rush things, you take your time and don't slur your words, for someone who is not mother tongue is very important

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Is there any way you can tell me what key this song is in ??

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@DimitrisFatisisMusic]

One of the best lessons! Bravo! Watched it til the end. I never got much into theory and I know that I should have. I only use my ear to find chords and riffs and transcribe in my mind the vocals of a song so I can play them with my guitar... it’s never too late to practice some theory too! Thank you!

[@uesgaroe8998]

Dimitris Fatisis what is a riff?is it a scale or chord

[@TheGeniusAnd]

Antonio Mantané like a part of a solo

[@abigailochefa3473]

You're a great teacher, your lessons are really helpful

[@moogdome2562]

Excellent. Thank you so much, Great lesson great teacher,

[@swelofciuhwepfihjkbf4354]

Thank you for the video. Watching from Brazil, I'm 14 and I play guitar since I was 7. I'm tired of just having to search for what key the songs are on and decided to learn more about it. I'll be practicing in the next days!

[@jonimaricruz1692]

The last note of most songs in western music resolves to the tonic, so if you can pick out on your guitar what the last note is, you’ll know what key the song is in, usually. At least that’s what a music major friend of mine told me and it seems to work. Thanks for the helpful tips in your series. I had to put my guitar aside for nearly 15 years and I’m picking it up again but it’s slow going. I really find your advice useful, keep up the good work.

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Hey ! Is there any way you can tell me what key this song is in ?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@machrx5]

saw the video, searched for latest songs and found atleast 2-3 chords of each song I listened and I seriously couldn't believe I'd ever be able to find a single let alone more than one chord of any song just by ear. I always thought I was tone deaf or something, now I know I didn't have a great teacher like you. :))

[@MusoraMedia]

So things are going better for you?

[@machrx5]

Things are great! I've progressed so much since watching this video. Thanks for the help!!!!

[@theresekilpatrick9888]

I thought you said your name was "meat sandwich"! Perhaps it's lunchtime...Thank you for your lesson - really helpful!

[@HerManyJoysss]

♡♡♡♡

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

Great just blew hot coffee all over my guitar......... worth it.

[@alanshaw8563]

😂😂😂

[@polarbear7577]

Nice lesson and nice gear too Thanks

[@PankajToshniwalca]

It's a value addition to my skills tq man! 🤘

[@MusoraMedia]

You're welcome. :)

[@stephencullen441]

Great lesson

[@chrispalacios_18]

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!

[@lalphirkimchangsan6636]

That’s awesome, thank you.

[@rguard1292]

this is an amazing lesson! very clear, and easy to understand.

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Can you tell me what key this song is in please kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@denismkofficial]

Its vital to my learning

[@141sharon270]

I don't play guitar but I wondered how a band knows what key to play instruments in. I know harmonicas are in various keys but with guitar the player uses same instrument. This video is very informative and the song you have chosen is a very good example for beginners, I am thinking about buying a guitar to see if it is easier than blowing and drawing and bending at same time, my lungs are nackered. Great video, thanks.

[@nectordelacruz7273]

Thank You ☺. I will practice more!

[@jolaco]

Thanks for sharing this video my friend i get some ideas tanks to you

[@LeeFKoch]

Thanks, Nate, I think ear training is really super important for any musician. And your advice about finding a song's tonal center is absolutely spot on. Interesting point on how non-diatonic chords can throw you off (I know that it's happened to me before), which can be embarassing when you want to accompany a song...

[@tusharsaini11]

Hey I wanna ask that how to start playing a song if someone ask you to ? I mean the major components behind it.

[@LeeFKoch]

@@tusharsaini11 I am no expert, though I have been playing acoustic guitar for over 25 years. The major components are timing, tone, and dynamic phrasing. If you get all of those right, then you will sound good. I think that you should only agree to play a song that you have learned (unless you are so advanced a player that you can improvise a song on the spot). If you know your chords and can change between them smoothly, then you should be able to "sight read" a familiar song from the sheet music with chords. I don't recommend playing off a sheet with just lyrics and chords, as you have no input as to the melody and rhythm. Anyway, I hope this helps.

[@tusharsaini11]

@@LeeFKoch Yeah I got you. Thanks for your reply 🙌

[@medievalpepper1832]

When you’re playing bar “C” chord, is not really C, but rather C/G, try muting the lo E string when playing A-shaped C chord. I also used to have this habit when I first learned my A-shaped barre chords since it was easier to bar (like E-shaped barre chords). Took me a while to relearn muting the low E string with my index finger while barring remaining 5.

[@roshanrix5444]

It's a helpful lesson for me. Thanks!

[@johnmyung2204]

Thanks Teacher Nate for your wonderful lesson. :)

[@MusoraMedia]

You're welcome. :)

[@ryanbright7496]

Tip, when searching for the note, play a random note at first, if the note you hear in your head is higher than the one you played go higher, go higher. If the note you hear in your head is lower than the one you played, go lower. Don't just randomly guess.

[@ericwarr9088]

... "Play a random note" ... "Don't randomly guess"... 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@wilma7612]

@@ericwarr9088 are you stupid?

[@flolorm2349]

@@wilma7612 are YOU stupid?

[@wilma7612]

@@flolorm2349 ARE YOU stupid?

[@flolorm2349]

@@wilma7612 read what the original comment says and try again

[@rosaliedaal1092]

Whew..you are such Gods given mentor for me..keep on im subscribing..

[@MusoraMedia]

Hi Rosalie, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@abhijitpanda1425]

Thank you for this.....it helped a lot 😊 make more lesson videos please

[@tusharlotliker4327]

When your friend tells you to hear a shitty song which he likes and you have to pretend that it's good 1:48

[@lucasnorena3029]

Great tutorial...👍🏻💫

[@ndungutsemandela4489]

Awesome!

[@azizb3219]

hey Nate, I watched this video months ago and I practiced what you mentioned,Especially the humming part, now I can Identify the key of songs easily , thank you so much Keep the good Work man.

[@morganharris2212]

Such a good lesson

[@chubbychubbyslurpuff2485]

Hey Nate, im a huge fan of your videos! I find them very helpful, im just wondering if theres any way to make the guitar key lower? As when I sing my voice is fairly low, if you could help that would be great :)

[@MusoraMedia]

Keys technically go in circles. So you could either transpose your chords into a different key or use a capo to raise the key, then sing an octave lower. Check out our video on how to use a capo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWmpiYlqisyogbc

[@chubbychubbyslurpuff2485]

GuitarLessons.com thank you :)

[@johnmyung2204]

Hi teacher nate, what song do you use in Am? can you give me the track. thanks

[@MusoraMedia]

Hey John, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Are you looking for a jam track in the key of A minor?

[@subrahmanyammuramalla147]

Probably one of the most important lessons.

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Are you able to tell me what key this song is in kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@franced3873]

An amazing lesson. I will have to listen to it more than once. Thanks.

[@MusoraMedia]

Thank you! :)

[@emmanuellankrumah7107]

Thank you so much

[@paulfranklin8826]

its very useful for me

[@chamstrauss]

how is this lesson for free? such a helpful lesson, good job

[@MusoraMedia]

Glad you enjoyed the lesson. :)

[@ezramoore1288]

Thanks for not talking down to us! This is some really helpful information explained in a way that is easy to understand! You are a good teacher.

[@jayc8136]

nice sound on that guitar

[@jamesdoyle3885]

6th degree of the the major scale finds the relative minor key. Many thanks.

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Is there any way you can tell me what key this song is in ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@erdogan330]

thanks for the lesson.

[@MusoraMedia]

You're welcome. :)

[@blacksileighty2]

What a savage! I'll see myself out...

[@LaHood_]

What is the name of the song used for the minor example? Or what would that guitar playing style be called?

[@345kobi]

Excellent.

[@awesomeguy7735]

This guy has the best surname lol

[@marianebell5479]

Great video content! Apologies for chiming in, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you heard about - Riddleagan Blossoming Solo Remedy (do a search on google)? It is an awesome one of a kind guide for mastering guitar scales minus the hard work. Ive heard some super things about it and my work buddy got amazing results with it.

[@MarkTheTruckinBarber]

This video changed my life. Thank you. The liaison using pur vocals is perfect. Awesome video. Kinda wanna just give u money cuz that was so awesome lmao Keep up the good work. And thank you so much!

[@itsajayrsingh]

simply genius

[@MusoraMedia]

Thanks!

[@nathan-hq2jw]

thanks bob duncan

[@phonicwheel933]

Thanks for posting; well presented and structured!

[@ShifaMassey]

He is good 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rc1305]

Best lesson

[@learningguitar1874]

Amazing video!

[@allanjeong]

I was wondering....why identify the key (tonic note) of a song when you can start a song in any tonic note of your own choice? I heard that recording studios will often digitally transpose a song to change up and give it a certain feel, and that artists will change the key to better match their individual vocal range. Given these reasons, I'm having a hard time coming up with a list of reasons for identifying the key to a song. The only reason I can come up with is that a person may not know how to pick their own key and figure out which note to start the song's melody so that they end up playing the song in the chosen key (and that the person is simply assuming that the key of the recorded song is the optimal key for playing the song). Any how, addressing this question at the beginning of the video I think would be helpful. :-)

[@dondavi5798]

Ok....thanks for the lesson, however... You sir are a dead ringer for a young Tom Hanks- somewhere along the timing of "BIG" Your lessons and streams are helping me get back motivated to try to learn playing guitar again.

[@MusoraMedia]

Hah, that's funny. Glad the lessons are helping. :)

[@AsifBiswasAB]

Sir, what is the name of the song in minor?

[@macmac6878]

Hi GuitarLessons, thanks for the great (relatively) easy to understand video. How can I accurately determine the actual starting note of a riff. I'm trying to play a riff from a well know 60's hit, covered by a male performer. For accuracy I obtained a copy of the original sheet music for the song recorded by that performer, which shows the male performers picture on the front, and 'Words & Music by' the original female performer. Yet the starting note of the riff, as played by the male performer live (as far as I can visually tell is 'A') seems lower than the note shown on the music (eg: 'D') The male performer has a high voice. So would the male performer: a: just issue a copy the original female composer music, with their name on it? b: or would they have transcribed it to the actual key/note that he originally performed it in? Either way: How can I accurately determine the actual starting note of this riff as performed by this male artist, I'm finding it very difficult and frustrating.

[@Fornicras]

What strings are those?

[@lollypluimpje2643]

Nate is thé best🎸🎸🎸👍

[@MusoraMedia]

Thanks!

[@nipunkothare]

Guys I found a really simple yet effective method.. check the tab, it's usually written there.

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Would you be able to tell me what key this song is in kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@SynthApprentice]

Not bad, but we never did hear you hum.

[@MusoraMedia]

It's kind of tough to hear when the music is going, but you can hear it if you listen closely. :)

[@SynthApprentice]

It's still a good lesson!

[@aisharpb]

I did

[@maryangel4494]

i thought I was the only one

[@splendorgreat332]

i understand it when you thought this as how to look for the key of a note in a song but please help me to learn songs melodically by ear

[@zakichan5594]

Just asking can you accompany a singer by just hearing her singing?.. Like finding the chord while she is singing?

[@kyladiamante4199]

I don't know if this applies to everyone. But I taught myself to play the guitar and had a hard time playing songs without a chord guide. A year later I taught myself piano and learned to hear the keys better individually and I eventually memorized the tones in my head. So whenever I wanted to play a song in the piano, I just do the melody first and when I finally know the keys that I press on the first syllable of every chord change, I use that key for the rhythm chords itself (especially for the guitar accompaniment). Eventually with playing the piano, the notes easily stuck at the back of my mind and I can easily identify the chords needed. I really don't know how to explain that easily but I hope you had an idea or something.

[@ensignofindustry1033]

Major = Happy

[@Phaseish]

A- > C . Johnny cash - Hurt.

[@ibrahimturay491]

Going to Learn sugar hill by az

[@LeeKevin03]

How do i know what key im in if i play barre chord : A , C , D? Barre chords Or how do i know if i play : G . B . C ? What key am i in?

[@dull218]

Use C.A.G.E.D bud

[@khordad1216]

you are awsome !!

[@firstlast1357]

Excellent approach, listen, hum, sing, until you got it into your head, then your ear will tell you if you are wrong. Only wish you have completed the process of analysis of this song , not just the beginning ..

[@yohzmith9105]

I got G major

[@alexgarcia8365]

😂😂 music theory just clicked to me in this video 😂😂 I'm crying laughing ive been practicing for 6 months AMD it finally hits AMD I was thinking the key of c major as well

[@therockiesfan3]

How do u tell if its major or minor on bass?

[@joshuaseryoso1096]

therockiesfan3 haha lol there's no minor on bass guitar just click the key thats it

[@ARMYStrongHOOAH17]

Is it possible for the tonal center to be subjective? Cuz when you played that G F C thing mentioning how the F isn't naturally in the key of G I still heard the C as the resolving chord not the G.

[@yusriabdulrazak1894]

Iam leaning more

[@netrets9729]

I have been playing for almost 7 or 8 months is that enough to play the songs by just listening to it?

[@pingvin300]

It depends on many factors. I would encourage you to start with the simplest songs outhere.

[@dull218]

Depends on the song.

[@buskerbuddy2108]

Nice video but lots of majors and minors LOL :-) I dont really care what key a song is in so long as I can sing it well, and with power, how do I find the best key for me to sing a song in. ?

[@MusoraMedia]

It's going to be different for every song depending on where the melody is. Usually using a capo is helpful for finding the right key for your voice. That way you don't have to keep relearning chord shapes every time you shift keys.

[@tzafrirg2054]

*Why in the G scale there is F# note ?* 8:00 That's confused me :O I unsterstood until that point ! Haven't mastered that key of song but I'm on it ... sometimes it works for me .

[@lidaboy]

Sim ple because f # is the 7th note in the scale of g. If it helps the note f# is also g flat

[@dull218]

F#=G_

[@longDFellow]

12:50 yeah but the 1-4-5 of G major is the same as G minor, and since you are playing that progression with F natural then you are basically playing a chord within the G minor scale am I wrong?

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Can you tell me what key this song is in ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

Please !

[@albertda9044]

hi sir i am pranay i watch your lesson each and every day and i m trying to play but i m totally beginner could you help me plez

[@kevinjohnanand]

Albert Da just watch his beginner guitar lessons

[@MusoraMedia]

I'd suggest you start with the Beginner Guitar Quick-Start Series on GuitarLessons.com. www.guitarlessons.com/guitar-lessons/beginner-guitar-quick-start-series/

[@colettedurand1399]

how can i find the chords of a song that i cant find online?

[@MusoraMedia]

That's a tough one. I'd say the ultimate answer is to build the skills you need to where you don't have to rely on chord charts. A lot of this is training your ear to recognize sounds, building a good chord vocabulary on the guitar, and understanding how keys work (music theory).

[@colettedurand1399]

@@MusoraMedia thanks

[@fabiomanzo1800]

I'm Italian, if can I correct just one thing: the pronunciation of the note Si (B) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ66m3-Ln9iglck You pronounce it like a "t": "do re mi fa sol la TI do". It should be "Si" so "Do re mi fa sol la SI do". The video is great, thank you

[@yoshita.k]

Wiat, so isn't it Ti, I've being saying Ti since when I was little.

[@fabiomanzo1800]

@@yoshita.k in Italy we definitely pronounce it with the S sound and it sounds funny to hear the T... Haha

[@yoshita.k]

@@fabiomanzo1800 hehe, I've never heard poeple use S for it. But now I know :)

[@kentbrashear]

Another guitar teacher with long fingers. I'm becoming convinced that the gest guitarists have long fingers. Mine are short. I'd love to see one teacher with short fingers.

[@markb.3412]

Here is your short finger guy: StichMethod, another great teacher kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXmum4Z4i5Whadk

[@JJDon5150]

@@markb.3412 Finger length has nothing to do with it. Its about finger strength and dexterity and playing relaxed. There are plenty of guitarist with short fingers out there.

[@shadip1359]

Music is hard.

[@jace3143]

Just practice and be consistent. It’s very simple, just take a while to get really good

[@dull218]

Music is fun also :(

[@dull218]

And jace right about the practice...if you are set on wanting to learn it you will.

[@cristalcolon542]

how to make tabs???

[@kon8611]

I didn’t know Tom Hanks plays guitar

[@Bevity]

Kon Son of Tom Hanks and John Travolta.

[@aton_7147]

😁

[@darickmendes969]

But isn't it like obvious that it's a major c since it's a happy song so we could skip the step of identifying major or minor

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

I can't even figure out what key I Am in. My scales sound great. Until I try to add them to something other then A

[@jonesanderson9843]

I can’t match my humming to the notes someone help

[@patte4702]

Could be tone deaf..

[@ShifaMassey]

Just stick where the song starts or the end part of the chorus.

[@DavidmaniDavis21]

Wat songs are you playing

[@MusoraMedia]

Winter Wonderland.

[@greggats]

helped for sure but lost me with the scales

[@bramantanararya9218]

so i need to learn how to hum beforehand

[@karolciejka7459]

Why did you do this strange c major with barring strings?

[@johnke996]

Utterly, totally and hopelessly complicated. Oh, for a guitar teacher who can explain things plainly and simply!

[@jjonesa]

It was as simple as can be lol

[@NebulousWyatt]

Props for not being afraid to sing lol

[@bogdangrund3913]

3:46 Russian?

[@splendorgreat332]

hep me learn songs melodically by ear please i need help

[@kyladiamante4199]

I already replied this to another comment but I'll paste it here too. I don't know if this applies to everyone. But I taught myself to play the guitar and had a hard time playing songs without a chord guide. A year later I taught myself piano and learned to hear the keys better individually and I eventually memorized the tones in my head. So whenever I wanted to play a song in the piano, I just do the melody first and when I finally know the keys that I press on the first syllable of every chord change, I use that key for the rhythm chords itself (especially for the guitar accompaniment). Eventually with playing the piano, the notes easily stuck at the back of my mind and I can easily identify the chords needed. I really don't know how to explain that easily but I hope you had an idea or something. If you need help, you can message me! Try learning the music theory if you want play the guitar so that you can easily read it like the piano.

[@dgib1694]

An Xmas song in minor is impossible, isn't?

[@kwiechufithu]

I need to go back to the basics. I understood nothing. No fault of yours though.

[@NicoCrown]

Same here 🤣