How to Find the Key of a Song [Complete Guide in 2024]

Key Takeaways

Finding the key in a song can be useful; for example, you can create harmonies, write a cover or arrangement, or transpose instruments. But this can be a hassle for some beginners and intermediate players. Luckily, you are reading this article. In this article, we will offer you the easiest and most effective ways to find the key in your songs. So please keep reading.

What is a Music Key

A music key is a system of functionally related chords and notes that form the harmonic foundation of a piece of music. Each key is characterized by a tonic, which is a central or resting note, and a unique combination of intervals between the tones. Major keys have a happy, upbeat sound created by emphasizing the major chords of the key. Minor keys often sound sad and sorrowful, and they prefer to dwell on darker-sounding minor chords.

How to Find the Key of a Song Online

People in Reddit community aked the question:

What is yout method to find the key of a song?
byu/Felizem_velair_ inmusictheory

About this question, the direct answer might be using online key detection or key finder. With the advancement in technology, finding the key to a song is like walking in the park. Below are some popular and efficient key finders.

EaseUS Vocal Remover

Yes, you read correctly - that's not a joke. As its name suggests, EaseUS Vocal Remover(/vocal-remover/) is a tool designed to remove vocals in a song. But it is not limited to that; it is also equipped with other features related to songs, including a key finder. This tool allows you to input audio or songs in multiple formats like MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, AC3, MP2, and MP4 and output them in CSV.

Files up to 20 minutes long or up to 150MB in size can be processed for free. More than that, it also helps you to change the song's speed and pitch. You can get access to EaseUS Vocal Remover by clicking the button below.

EaseUS Online Vocal RemoverBrowse to remove sound from audio files

Get App Get App on PC and Mac

Below are the detailed steps that you may use EaseUS VoiceOver to find the key of a song:

Step 1. Go to the website and navigate to the "Key BPM Finder."

Step 2. Browse the local library or drag and drop the audio here.

Step 3. The AI will analyze it and show the key of your song. Click "Add Tracks" for multi-tasking. Press "Export .csv File" to keep the record.

Moises

You may be familiar with Moises - the musician's app that you can use to remove vocals, extract instrumentals from songs, master your tracks, and remix songs with the power of AI. One of its impressive features is its AI key detection. You may upload your song from your device or your library of any public URL.

After upload, it will instantly tell you the song's key, along with the chords. Now, this tool is also available from the App Store, Google Play, and Desktop App.

You may identify any song's key with Moises by following these 3 steps:

Step 1. Choose your favorite song and upload it from your library or any public URL.

Step 2. Select your preferred separation type. (this is because its key finder feature is combined with its track separation feature.)

Step 3. Turn on the AI-generated track, and you may set the key in the right corner.

Tunebat

Powered by industry-leading technology developed by the Music Technology Group at UPF, Tunebat is a browser-based tool that uses algorithms developed through machine learning to perform sentiment analysis, such as energy, danceability, and happiness.

There is no file size limit or number of files uploaded limit. File types include MP3, WAV, FLAC, ACC, OGG, and M4A are supported. What's more, uploaded files stay on your computer, and are never copied or sent to any servers, which promises your file safety.

There are detailed steps to find the song key with Tunebat.

Step 1. Organize the audio files you want to analyze in a folder on your computer.

Step 2. Drag and upload your audio files into the file area, or select the audio files from your computer.

Step 3. Wait for its processing and after completion, the results will appear in a table.

Related Article:

Tunebat Vocal Remover

Are you finding a full review on the Tunebat Vocal Remover? This passage will introduce this online vocal remover by providing its features, pros, and cons. Besides, it will show you an excellent alternative to this online vocal removing tool.

How to Figure Out the Key of a song by ear

Begin your musical exploration by engaging in attentive listening. Identify the note or chord that feels like the central point, often referred to as "home" or "Doh" in solfa notation. This note, also known as the tonic or root, serves as the resolution for the entire composition.

Once you've found your "Doh," whether a note or chord, proceed to sing the major or minor scale, using this as your starting point. Cultivating a discerning ear requires time and consistent practice, so remain patient and persistent as you develop this valuable skill.

How to Determine the Key of a Song by Key Signature

Every musical key is associated with a distinct collection of sharps or flats. The key signature is usually found at the beginning of a piece of sheet music, right after the clef. (For sharps, the order is F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, and B#. For flats, the order is B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, and F♭. )

To determine the major key for sharps, the key is the note that is a half step above the last sharp in the key signature. For flats, the key is the second-to-last flat in the key signature. To find the relative minor key, for both sharps and flats, the relative minor key is found by going down a minor third. Finally, you should listen to the music to confirm the key.

How to Find the Key of a Song by Looking at the Chord Progression

To find the key from a chord progression, you should do the following:

Step 1. Write down all of the chords.

Step 2. Document the scales linked to each chord.

Step 3. Examine each scale to check if the chord root notes fall within it. If they do, that indicates the key you are in.

To Wrap up

The tools mentioned in this article serve as excellent aids for DJs exploring harmonic mixing, producers involved in remixing songs, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their music.If you are a skilled music lover, finding the key of a song might be easier by ear or by looking at the chord progression.

But if you are in a hurry and need to find the keys of all your selected songs, try some key finder or key detection tool that might be more efficient, for example, EaseUS Vocal Remover. You may get access to it via the button below.

EaseUS Online Vocal RemoverBrowse to remove sound from audio files

Get App Get App on PC and Mac

FAQs on How to Find the Key of a Song

You've learned 4 ways to determine the key of a song and welcome to the FAQs part, where we address common questions.

1. Is there an app to identify a song key?

Yes, there are several apps designed to identify the key of a song, including KeyFinder, Tunebat, Moises, and EaseUS Vocal Remover.

2. Can't you see the song key?

While the key of a song is often indicated by a key signature in sheet music, not all songs have sheet music readily available.

3. How do you find the key of a song with chords?

To find the key of a song with chords involves analyzing the chords used in the progression. Look for the chord that feels like the point of resolution or "home." This chord is likely the tonic, which determines the key. Pay attention to the relationships between chords, such as the dominant (often the fifth chord) leading back to the tonic. Additionally, identify major and minor chords to discern the tonality of the key. Using your ear and musical theory knowledge, you can confidently determine the key based on the chord progression.

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