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Well, in order to be able to know what key you are playing in, you need to know some basics about how the keys work. If you have read the cycle of keys lesson, you should have no problem with this one. Let’s say you are playing the chords F major, G major, and A minor. Well, in every major key, the first, fourth, and fifth chord are major. So, there is only one spot where you would have two major chords next to each other. Those would be the 4th and the 5th chords. So, in this example, you are playing in the key of C. Now let’s use the chords D minor, G major and C major. Well, you are not playing in the key of D minor. The two major chords are the first chord in the key and the fifth chord in the key. In this case, you are also playing in the key of C major. If you do the same chord progression, but using the chords E minor, A major, and D major, what key would you be in? It would be the key of D major. E minor is the second chord, A major is the fifth chord, and D major is the first chord. Now, let’s say you understand all that, but can’t figure out if you are playing in a major key or a minor key. I would look at the chords again. If you are playing A minor, F major, then G major, that would be the “key” of A minor. The reason for that is that the chord progression is based around the A minor chord. You are technically still in the key of C, meaning that you are still using the same notes, only now you are using the relative minor. Just because you are starting on a minor chord does not always mean that you are in a minor (Aeolian) key. If you start on D minor and play the example above, you are not playing in the key of D minor. You are still in the key of C. One good way to hear what key you are in is to play a major scale in different positions until you find the right root note. That will only work if you are in a major chord progression, such as those listed in the chord progression lesson. This will be difficult if you are playing a modal progression. I am currently working on some modal chord progression/modal soloing lessons right now, so those will be coming shortly. There has been an inquiry about when to use minor scales and when to use major scales while soloing. The best thing I could say at this point would be to use your ears, along with the knowledge that you have learned about the keys and chord progressions. It will also depend on the melody of the song. You should try to play the melody on your guitar in order to understand the basic musical outline of the song. That’s a great way to start soloing too. If you take the melody of the song, learn how to play it, and then start adding your own licks, you can’t go wrong. At that point you will be able to tell if you are playing in a major scale or a minor scale or a mode. Don’t get to worried about all the technical stuff though. The scales and modes and all this stuff are really just tools to help you play music. Don’t ever remove yourself from the emotional side of music. You’re ultimate goal is to make music, not to play a certain scale or lick. If it sounds good, you should be satisfied. Your ears will tell you if what you are playing is good or bad. You can use knowledge to help you, but your ears are the ultimate judge. I hope this quick lesson helped some people out. We will have some lessons about chord scale relationship and writing melodies in the near future, so stay on the look out! Thanks. SK
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