Song Analysis
What Key Is This Song In?
The key is the tonal home base of a song. It is usually the chord or note that feels most resolved.
1
Home chord
Home chord
4
Neighbor
Neighbor
5
Pulls home
Pulls home
6m
Relative minor
Relative minor
Start with the chords
If a song uses C, F, G, and Am, C major is a strong candidate because those are the I, IV, V, and vi chords in C. If Am feels like home, the same notes may point to A minor.
Listen for resolution
The final chord is often the key, but not always. Listen for the chord that makes the phrase feel finished. The V chord often creates tension that wants to resolve back to I.
Check the melody
The melody often lands on the root note at important moments. If both the chord progression and melody keep returning to G, the song may be in G major or G minor.
Use Chord Finder as a shortcut
Upload or record a song and Digital Ladyland will estimate key, tempo, and chord changes.
Open Chord Finder