Need quick theory help (slighly OT)

Whistle
1

OK…so I’ve forgotten most of my music theory. I’ve got a song with one flat in it (Bb)…how can I tell what key it’s in?

Thanks,

Redwolf

P.S. FWIW, I’ve forgotten most of my algebra too :wink:

2

You can probably tell by the note that it ends on. If it ends on F then, it’s very likely in F. The F major scale contains one flat. If it ends on G then it’s in G minor (dorian mode). The other two possibilities are C (mixolydian) or D minor (aeolian).

Steve

3

One flat is the key signature of F.
If that helps.

You can play it on a C whistle like you play G tunes on a D whistle.

Hope this helps you..

4

F major
D minor
G dorian

French Cats Grumble Dreadfully And Eat Birds (as we all know from a recent photo)

(order of sharps: reverse for order of flats)
Sharps: major key is one semitone above last sharp (or relative minor 1½ tones below)

Flats: I don’t know and can’t be bothered to work it out… :wink:

Edited after working it out - major scale is one fourth below last flat (hence F major for a B flat) or relative minor of that, 1½ tones below, i.e. D.

Hadn’t thought about C mix, well done SteveK, don’t often get C mix in ITM though.


[ This Message was edited by: StevieJ on 2002-10-07 15:42 ]

5

Thanks all! I actually needed this info for a choral piece I’m putting together for the children’s chorus this afternoon…I wanted to give them a little theory to go with their singing and couldn’t remember how to determine the key (and my partner in choral crime, who is actually a masters student in music, is in Italy today). I just knew someone here could bail me out!

Thanks again!

Redwolf

6

On 2002-10-07 15:38, StevieJ wrote:
(order of sharps: reverse for order of flats)
Sharps: major key is one semitone above last sharp (or relative minor 1½ tones below)

Flats: I don’t know and can’t be bothered to work it out… > :wink: >

I think it works this way. The major key is the same note as the second flat back. The first flat if Bb (key is F. I guess you just have to know that). The next flat you add is Eb and the key is Bb. The next flat is Ab and the second flat back is Eb-the key of three flats. And so on. This makes more sense if you write it on the staff or if you can visualize it.

Steve