Keys

[juufa72]

Nevermind the fact that I have been play the piano for seven years now and nevermind the fact that I had a teacher for half of them. But can someone help me explain the difference in keys?

That is...when I look at a piece and the B is flat it is in the key of X/maj/minor. But not always in the key of "B".....


So what is the difference between major-minor-sharp-flat?

I hope this makes sense.

Thanks
-JG

[calebrw]

Try some of these links:
http://www.teoria.com/reference/scales/05.htm
http://www.jmdl.com/howard/music/keys_scales.html
http://www.musictheory.halifax.ns.ca/9key_signatures.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_signature

Hope they help,

[juufa72]

So there is no difference, for example, in the Key of Fmaj and Dmin? So why not simplify the learning process and just call it one or the other!?

[citrine_peridot]

So there is no difference, for example, in the Key of Fmaj and Dmin? So why not simplify the learning process and just call it one or the other!?

because the harmony/chord of each of them is totally different thing...

[juufa72]

So there is no difference, for example, in the Key of Fmaj and Dmin? So why not simplify the learning process and just call it one or the other!?

because the harmony/chord of each of them is totally different thing...

Ah damn forget this.

[PianistSk8er]

So there is no difference, for example, in the Key of Fmaj and Dmin? So why not simplify the learning process and just call it one or the other!?

This is a fundamental concept of musical theory. The large difference between a major scale and a minor scale is that these scales are made up of different intervals between every note. F major and D minor have a common key signature, but they are not composed of the same intervals. The third note of the D minor scale is lowered by one semi-tone (as is the case in all minor scales), and the seventh note is raised by one semi-tone (as is the case in all harmonic minor scales). This would comprise a harmonic minor scale.

A melodic minor scale has a lowered third, but the sixth and seventh notes are raised on the way up and go back to normal on the way down. A natural minor scale has only a lowered third; no other notes change. The most common minor scale is a harmonic minor scale.

The key signature of a scale is simply used so that the order of intervals between notes can be respected in order to keep the scale major. If a piece is in a minor scale, accidentals are used in order to lower the third note and in order to raise the sixth or seventh notes if this effect is sought. Usually the seventh note is the only note that is raised; however, in some scale passages, composers may use a melodic minor scale.

"So why not simplify the learning process and just call it one or the other!?" Because minor scales are a very important and quintessential part of music, and calling them the same thing would be a rather large misconception. Major and minor scales have several theoretical differences, and they sound quite different also.

I hope that I was able to clear it up somewhat for you; let me know if you have any questions (or anyone else if I have made mistakes ).

PS