Six-String Sleuth by Michael Rays

Author:Michael Rays
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: music, songwriting, guitar, music theory, guitar chords, circle of fifths, chords theory, song chords
Publisher: Michael Rays

Remember, when listening for the tonic chord, ask yourself: “If the song ended right now, on this chord, would there be a musical sense of finality?” If the answer is ‘yes,’ then you have probably found your tonic chord. (The answer is very often ‘yes’ for the song’s final chord—hence the first technique mentioned above.)

One thing that can mildly complicate our sleuthing efforts is a key change. Key changes typically occur toward the end of a song, and are often used for dramatic or emotional effect as the song’s key (and thus every chord, including the tonic) shifts to a new, higher pitch. (There may be songs that switch to a lower pitch, but I sure can’t think of one). Barry Manilow is the undisputed king of the late-song key change. (Don’t ask me how I know this—I just do.) Or, if you take your tea stronger, try Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” (the key change comes toward the end, just after “…when it’s all that you’ve got…”). There are rock and pop songs that employ key changes, but overall the practice is not very common. At any rate, key changes are not the end of the world; they merely require a bit more detective work, as we now have to find not one tonic chord, but two. (But if we know barre chords—say it with me—key changes are no big deal!)

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