Finding Key & Adding Instruments

MPC-Tutor wrote:Grab a keyboard/synth/software instrument and play notes on that until you find a match. I usually pull out a guitar and play along until I realise what key it's in, normally by listening out to the root (bass) note in the loop. For example, if the main root note is an E, it's probably going to be in E or E minor.

Either way, you'll need to be able to recognise similar pitches, that may take a little practice, especially if you don't usually play 'traditional' instruments.

Another option could be to pull a single note out of the loop and play it into a guitar tuner, such as the ones you get as phone apps - this will normally tell you the key or at least the frequency of the note, which you can then look up.

Unfolding Machines wrote:Also helps to know the circle of fifths:

Every scale is the inverse of another so if you have D minor scale you can also sample an F major because they'll use the same notes. Also if you sample a Dm you can transition to patterns to Am or Gm & it'll sound smooth.

Note that only applies to the triad scales (root, tonic, fifth). Anything more complex & you'll need to learn chord theory.

inflict3 wrote:I use a program called mixed in key. It's not free. But its cheap. U drag ur beat into it and it tells u what key ur in..really helpful to my production.

Em.p.cee.j wrote:This video helped me out a lot....