How to find the key of a song
Four ways to find a song’s key, with listening examples and a step-by-step walkthrough. Follow the chords, find the home note and check the analyzer’s result.
Read the guideBPM FINDER / FIELD NOTESNotes on
Notes on
making music.
Tempo, keys and the details that help a mix come together.
LISTEN. READ. TRY IT.
More from the field notes.
Practical guides, each with a different question to answer.
TEMPO & TIMING
Fast & Slow Tempo: BPM and Music Tempo Terms Explained
Hear the same pulse at three speeds, read Italian tempo markings and learn how to count the beat.
Read the guideTEMPO & GENRE
Average Song Tempo: Typical BPM by Genre
Compare sourced tempo ranges, understand half-time and calculate a useful average for your own playlist.
Read the guideMUSICAL KEY
Key Notation: How to Read Musical Keys and Key Signatures
Read major and minor key names, follow sharps and flats and use a complete key signature reference chart.
Read the guideDJ TECHNIQUE
DJ Beatmatching: How to Match Two Tracks by Ear
Match tempo and beat alignment by ear. Practice with original audio that separates a fixed offset from tempo drift.
Read the guideRHYTHM PRACTICE
How to Improve Your Timing in Music: Practical Metronome Exercises
Practice steady timing with beat counting, subdivisions, fewer clicks and a silent-bar exercise. Hear original examples and learn how to review a recording.
Read the guideHARMONY BASICS
Key vs Scale: What’s the Difference in Music?
Understand the difference between a musical key and a scale. Compare relative and parallel keys with original listening examples, diagrams and cited explanations.
Read the guide